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CONTAINING 



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il Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent 



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and Representative Citizens of the County, 

TOGETHER WITH 

PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF IOWA, 
OF THE PRESIDENTS. OF THE UNITED STATES. 




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1887. 



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HAVE completed our labors in writing and compiling the Portrait and Bio- 
graphical Album of this county, and wish, in presenting it to our patrons, to speak 
briefly of the importance of local works of this nature. It is certainly the duty 
of the present to commemorate the past, to perpetuate the names of the pioneers, 
to furnish a record of their early settlement, and to relate the story of their progress. 
_ The civilization of our day, tlie enlightenment of the age, and this solemn duty which 
men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives and deeds should be made. In local history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe 
vessel in which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this region from its 
prniiitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly the noble men, who in their vigor and prime 
came early to the county and claimed tire virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to their 
graves. The number reuiaining who can relate the history of the first days of settlement is 
becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessity e.xists for the collection and preservation of his- 
torical matter without delay, before the settlers of the wilderness are cut down by time. Not only 
is it of the greatest importance to render history of pioneer times full and accurate, but it is also essen- 
7^ tial that the history of the county, from its settlement to the present day, should be treated ihrougli its various 
i'S phases, so that a record, complete and impartial, may be handed down to the future. The present the age 
C of progress, is reviewed, standing out in bold relief over the quiet, unostentatious olden times; it is abnlliant 
E record, which is destined to live in the future; the good works of men, their magnificent enterprises, theii 
[g lives, whether commercial or military, do not sink into oblivion, but, on the contrary, grow brighter with age, 
^ and contribute to build up a record which carries with it precedents and principles that will Le advanced and 
E observed when the acts of soulless men will be forgotten and their very names hidden in obscurity. 
: In the preparation of the personal sketches contained in this volume, unusual care and pains were 

: taken to have them accurate, even in the smallest detail. Indeed, nothing was jiassed lightly over or treated 
; indifferently ; and we flatter ourselves that it is one of the most accurate works of its nature ever published. 
■ As one of the most interesting features of this woik, we present the portraits of numerous represent- 

: ative citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of to-day, as well as the pioneers, represented 
in this department; and we congratulate ourselves on the uniformly high character of the gentlemen whose 
portraits we present. They are in the strictest sense representative men, and are selected from all the call- 
iljE ings and professions worthy to be given. There are others, it is true, who claim equal prominence with 
^ those given; but of course it was impossible for us to give portraits of all the leading men and pioneers 
i^ of the county. We are under great obligation to many of the noble and generous people of this county 
\ri for kindly and material assistance in the preparation of this Album. 



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FIRST PRESIDENT. 





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I HE Father of our Country was 
&Vborn in Westmorland Co., Va., 
a Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
I were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed- property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence. George 
received only sucli education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
sclioul, when he received private instruction in 
mathematics. His spelling was rather defective. 



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Remarkable stories are told of his great physical 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years ol d he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for liim, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 1751, though only 19 years of 
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George, 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle, as Lieuten- 

ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was ^ilj 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mill- . fflj . 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. ~" 



ii 




trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safely and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then liegun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most imjxirtant part. In the 
memorable event of July g, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
were disabled early in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says: "I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was levelin" my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

.\fter having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
to resign his conmrission. .Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he look an 
a<;tive and im|)ortant part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke C'ustis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
delphia.Sept. 5, 1774,10 secure tlieir common liberties, 
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington w:;s sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
(Congress re-assemliled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought, .\mong the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
wiio was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress lo pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and lii)erties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under ever) possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in 
La p arting ad dress of surpas sing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army to 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annaixilis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
conneclion with public lile. 

In February, 1 789, \Vashington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments; trials from want of harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, S 
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the 3 
beginnings of party strife. He was no jiartisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and *''^' 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinl<iiig at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
seemed fikely to be interru[)ted by war with France. 
.At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superinler.ded from his 
home. In accepting the command he nuule the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took 
a seveie cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and cliararter. which have been able to challenge 
the reverence of aH parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and lo win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tali, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetr\'. 
He commanded respect without any appearance of J 
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull. 





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SECOND PRESIDENT. 






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f^l OHN ADAMS, the second 
&- President and the tirst Vice- 
President of the United States, 
was born in Braintree ( now 
■^i£, Quincy ),Mass., and about ten 
^^' miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1640, with a family of eight 
sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in AVorcester, Mass. This he found but a 
"school of ;iffliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purTX)se he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had tliought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this liy what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'" 
of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive [xjwers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of suj^erior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- 



tions he offered on the subject became very populai | 
throughout the Province, and were adopted word foi^^ 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous |i 
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, andlT 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates || 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress,! 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against the 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies'- 
should assume the duties of self-government. He | 




was a prominent member of the committee of fiveiipEij] 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence T jj 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the N -B, 



glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wite, 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or willU^^ 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed nlj] 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United "^^ 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the histor\' 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversar)' 
festival. It ought to be commemorated aS the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, showi 




24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



11 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. Vou will think me trans^x)rted 
with enthusiasm, but 1 am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and su[)i)ort and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
wurth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumijh, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur l,ee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peril of capture by tlie British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. in September of the same year he was again 
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold iiimself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such pioiwsels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
H )llan(l, where he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
tlirew him into a fevei. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddespond- 
ing, he received disjjatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made thetri]). 
February 24, 1785 ('ongress apix)inted Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to ap|)oint a minister to the United 
Slates, and as Mr. .Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing l)ut little, he sought |iennission to return to 
^lis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his sii^nal services at 
Jaliome and abroad, was chosen Vice President, .\gain 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President,though not without much opposition. 
Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded by 
J^Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in ixalitics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 




French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, • 
and it was upon this \m\x\X which he was at issue with : 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. ; 
Mr. Adams felt no syin|)alhy with the F'rench people : 
in tlieir struggle, for he had no conlidence in their : 
IX)wer of self-government, and he utterly abhored the : 
classof atheist philosoiihers who he claimed caused it. : 
On theotlier hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly : 
enlisled in behalf of the French people. Hence or- \ 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished ; 
men, and two powerful [)arties were thus soon organ- : 
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were witli F^ngland and Jefferson led the other in 
sym[)athy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look u[)on his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and liow he had given ui) all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrimsge, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found hmnself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his rttendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourih of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his S]:>iiit into the hands of his God. 

The jiersonal appearance and manners of Mr. 
Adams were not particularly pre]X)ssessing. His face, 
as his jiortrait manifests.was intellectual ard expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 









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THIRD PRESIDENT. 



^ P.rlcidjia , 






HOMAS JEFFERSON was 

^ born April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
^vvell, Albermarle county, Va. 
His parents were Peter and 
jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
tiie former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion 
and splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and mucli caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences,that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
hours a day to haid study, allowing himself for e.\- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
ofthe city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow. 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Cclonial Congress, 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed w\yow a number of important committees, 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 





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man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of tlie mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, ;.s (Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Moniicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured .by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. I, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
lic, and all that time had iieen employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and uiX)n the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver. 



toS: 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence,; 
great preparations were made in every pait of theS 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of tlie occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as. the framer,g 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara-g 
tion, to participate in their testivities. But an ill-5 
ness, whicli had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him 
decline the invitation. g- 

On the second of July, the disease under wliic 'iSc 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced;; 
state that his medical attendants, entertained noa 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly H 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the ne.\t« }^ 
d;iy, wiiich was Monday, he asked of those around 5 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it wasp. 
the third of July, he expres.ied the earnest wisii thate' 
he might be permitted to breathe tie airof the fiftietii h;! 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, wh(jse j 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, j; J 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for-cH 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble «:;{ 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- -SpfJ 
the day which his own name and his own act had S: 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and ^ 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life, ^f 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin 
dred s])irit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear t; 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors, gj 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, tlie cham])ions of g; 

-- ... ... ... .. ^: 



' 1 




ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and b,; 
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a an 
century they had labored together for tne good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, ratiier s; 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery ; his complexion was f;iir, his fore^ji 
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage; and his command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. Hifh 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- gi} 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that || 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- i 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and i 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He I 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is j 
discernable the care with which he formed his style ] 
upon the best models of antiquity. 1 



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'O^yu^-^ ^0{ cc^t f o^. 







FOURTH PRESIDENT. 





AMES MADISON, "Father 
% of the Constitution," and fourth 
President of the United States, 
was born Afarch i6, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
■ June 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that heroic period of our 
,, country during whicli the founda- 
tions of this great republic were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to. be called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing uixin a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery Iiighly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from tiie home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest ]jersonaI and 
political attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most ini- 




priQES npDisoi]. 



prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf ' 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he ditected especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General .Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia wliile Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and tiieir appreciation of his 



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intellectual, social and moral worth, contribute<i not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a meml)er of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at AnnapoHs to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelpliia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time a[)poinled. Every State but Rhode Island 
was represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was tlien and there formed. 
There was, perliaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little power at liome and little respect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable jx)wer of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occujMed 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 

2 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and ; 
our flag was ex[)osed to constant insult. Mr. Madison ; 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 2i 
in his disi)Osition, war had no charms for him. But the E| 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood | 
boil, even now, to think of an American sliip brought s 
to, ujion the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. B; 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the g; 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- j 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to £ 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the S | 
ship's side into his boat; and iilacesthem on the gun- E 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by comi)ulsion, the B 
battles of England. This right of search and im-'^^ 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce Si 
the British cabinet to relin(piish. 3; J 

On the 1 8th of June, 18 12, President Madison gave £;i 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 5 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the hitler : 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country : 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th : 
of March, 18 13, was re-elected by a large majority, E 
and entered upon his second term of office. Tliis is ; 
not the place to describe the various adventures of : 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant : 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- » 
pling with the most formidable ])owcr which ever s 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest c 
liy the appearance of a British fleet, early in Februaiy, F 
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole f, 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered liis services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched raj'idly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. E 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown S 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict I 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the | 
metropolis. The whole populaticn fled from the city. 5 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White § 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to | 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers | 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, c' 
and he could not go back without danger of being gj 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 5| 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in §. 
Washington were in flames. B! 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on g; 
Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 18 17, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1S36, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 




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AMES MONROE, the fifth 
President of The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. When, 
at 17 years of age, in the process 
of completing his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate upon the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
::C tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
5 Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
S difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
I political emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the actof charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- 
moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Steding. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of P.randy- 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 1782, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 2^ years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed with unremittingenergy for the public good, 



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be was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
ihe Congress of the Uniu-d States. 

Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
■Conlcderacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
•ihiiiking, with many others of the Republican parly, 
that it gave too nnich power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the" esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican paity was in 
sympathy vvith France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Clovernmentsas much i)ovver, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

Tlie leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than Jolm Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Reiiublican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse alKjrecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light eipiilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples (if the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for ovir lilierties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's ]5roclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by aiipointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 



Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three \eais. He was again sent to trance to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from S|)ain. Their united efforts were suc- 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of tiie world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some reiogniiion of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
Madison. While in this office war witii England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of the War De|jartment 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Lfpoii the return ol 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of Stale until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- 
tion held the previous autumn Mr Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but Hale opposition, and 
upon March 4, 18^7, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the "Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1S23. .At that 
time the L'^niled States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the .'^outh American st;ites, and did not wish 
to have European powers longer attem[)ting to sub- 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we shoukl consider any;iltempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifest;iti(ni by European 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
States."' This doctrine imniedialelv affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the United States. 

At the end of his second term Mr Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived unlil 1830, 
when he went to New York to live with his son-ii)- 
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831. 



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OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of the United 
SStates, was born in the rural 
home of his honored father, 
John Adams, in Qaincy, Mass., 
on the nth cf July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exahed 
worth, watched overliis childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood wuh 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration. of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his fat ner for Europe, 
through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Pans, where 
his father was associated with Frankhn and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering m.uks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
John Ouincv accompanied his father. At Pans he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to study; then accompained his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
time in 1781, when the manly hoy was but fourteen 
years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland thiough Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journev he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
his studies, under a priv.nte tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



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in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to 
Paris, travehng leisurely, and forming acquaintance ^^_^ 
with the most distinguished men on the Conimei.t; D H 
• ' " ■ - '^ - -intings, H^ 





examining arcnitectural remains, galleries of pan 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
became associated with the iriost illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross the human mind. After 
a short visit to England he returned to Pans, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, _.j 
when he returned to America. 'l"o a brilliant young W D 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the worid, B Yj^ 
and who was familiar wiih the etiipiette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pve-l ^-zr ' 
ferred to return to America to complete his education ^ 3 



in an .American college. He wished then to study 



law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent support. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty- seven years of age, he was ap 
pointed by Washington, resident minister at th( 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pmckney^ 
assisUngthem in negoriatihg a commercial treaty witl 
Great Brilian. After thus spending a fonmght ij 
London, he proceeded to the Hague 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal a| 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal; 
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
direcringhim'^to the court of Berlin, but requestin- 
him to remain in London until he should receive hi 
instructions. While waiting he was mairied to an 
American lady to whom he had been previously en 
gaged,— Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughte 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in th' 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. 



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He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
filled all the purixises of his mission, lie solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 

J a ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
dL among the most prominent and influential members 
.. _^ of tliat body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
M^j these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy .\dams minister to St. Petersijurg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Eurojie, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an important 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 18 17, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately api>ointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
'' sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the 
1 8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight yearsof -Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
Slsixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no clioice by the people, the 
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. .\dams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
the past history of our country than the abuse which 

F5 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. 'I'here never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking ninth exercise. \\ lien at his home in 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to worli in iiis library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by .\ndrew 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected \ice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
ixjrtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentarive, towering abcive all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Ujxjn taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
battle which Mr. .\danis fought, almost singly, against 
ihe proslavery jiarty in the Government, was sublime 
in Its moral dating and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination : 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when liis 
body was bent and his hair silvered liy the lapse ot 
fourscore years, yielding to the sim|ile faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slejjt, the prajer which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2ist of February, 1848, he rose on the flour 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
said " T/iis is the end of earth .-"then after a moment's 
pause he added, "/«/// content" These were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 









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SEVENTH PRESlnENT. 







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NDREW JACKSON, the 
seventh President of the 
jj'* United States, was born in 
Waxhavv settlement, N. C, 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a des])erate 
^ blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
l| were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
mother was successful in obtaining their exchange, 

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and took her sick boys home. After a long illness 
Andrew recovered, and the death of liis mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supported himself in various ways, such as 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, liirs 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
with the Sharp Knife. 

In 179 1, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed lierself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knowille to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of tlie eleven 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new State was entitled to but one nieml cr in 
the Narional House of Representatives. Andrew Jack- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his liorsehe 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 




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44 





ANDREW JACKSON. 






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sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic ijurty. Jefferson was liis idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat. Gen. W'ashington, whose 
second term of otfice was then expiring, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of tlie address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held for si.K years. 

When the war of 181 2 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron B irr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred u[X)n him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
offeied his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack upon New Orleans, where (ien. Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid W'ilkinson. The 
expedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions ; and he bticame the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhij) Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a ])art as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
iingering \\\in\~\ a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the bends of the TallaDoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of .Mabania, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
JHorse-shoe, on t'le 27th of Marcii. 1814. The bend 




of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable brea.st- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight tiiose who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed .\ few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with itsterriftic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
tlian Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault. The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From tlie shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most memorable 
in the annals of our country'; applauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died lune 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 



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Ei^PPHf-'EHl 




EIGHTH jp RESIDENT. 
















ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
eighth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
place, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about half way up on one face. 
1™ The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were required of him 
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
spending six years in an office in his native village. 



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he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
cause of State Rights; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led li'm, 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tlie 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years, 
constantly gaining strength by contending in the 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplisjiments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over 
her loss. For twenty-five years, i\Ir. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of [)ublic interest. 
In t8i 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and L'ave his strenuous support to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 













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MARTIN VAN SURE M. 



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the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 I he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 

E^ conspicuous position as an active and usefullegislator. 
I In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 

Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 

the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
"State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 

the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 

seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 

States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 

Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 

M Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
organize a political army which would, secretly and 
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said tiiat he outv/itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
itw thought then could be accomplislied. 

When .\ndrew Jackson was elected President he 
appointed .Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
jxjsition he resigned in 1831, and was inmiediately 
appointed Minister to England, where he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



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home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief FLxecu- 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. \'an 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the power to appoint a successor." 

His administration was filled with exciting events. 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that lie 
failed of re-election. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until liis deatli, on 
the 24th of July, 1S62, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 






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W^^MM Mill 1411Iiil, 



ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, w as early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the ofiice of 
s[ieaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
William Henry, of course enjoyed 
Jn childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough comn.on-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
then repaired to Philadeliiliia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- I 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
position. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then 2.7 years of age, was ajv 
ixjinted by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign uix)n the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times apix)inted to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas JefTerson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding witli all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About 



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WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 






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the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecmuseh, or " Tlie Crouching 
I'.inlher;" the other, Olliwaclieca, or "The Prophet." 
Tecuuiseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-ieaching foresiglit and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise m wliich he might 
engage. He was inspired witiithe highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded witii dread and with hatred 
the encroachment ot the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brotlier, the Prophet, was 
an orator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree -tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, 
iii the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. Willi an eathasiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from trilie to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
liy the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 2iS, 1812, his army began its inarch. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
I their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 

I short conference, arrangements were made forameet- 
^ ing the next day, to agree upon terms of [leace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 

II the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations .Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise 
His troops were jx)sted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
St; but every man had his accourtremeius on, his 
oaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desi)eration which superstition and passion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
ittle army. The savages had been amply provided 
' I vith guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
} var-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 
1" The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
! light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
j ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
jlpeedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
1 roops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
} mtil day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
jiharge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing the foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can - 
adas, were ot themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, [jlu.idering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a stale of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
tiie ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of liis soldiers by always sharing 
with them tlieir fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consi.-,ted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle Tliirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. 1 n Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and [wwerof eloquence, wiiich arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In iStg, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought hiin 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re -nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimou.sly nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which anv President iiad ever been 
surrounded. Never were tlie prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on tiie 4th of April ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States. 







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OHN TYLER, the tenth 
Presidentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was tlie favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
^ sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted liim- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
I et of the court in which he was 

not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General Govern- 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocatmg a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election 

John Randolph, a brilliant, ewatic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his op|X)nent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. There was a split in the Democratic 



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party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant, in con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon* after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
took his seat in the Legi-.lature of Virginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
1839. The m.iioiity of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine \V'hig, much to the disap[X)intn)ent ot 
the .South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the No:th: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time. President Harri.5on died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it vvas the first time in the histoiy of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in ^Villiamsburg when he received the 
une.xpected tidings of tlie death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
April was inaugurated to the high and resixmsible 
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the inib- 
lic welfare.' This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the caliinet which President Harrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. Hs> suggested, however, that he would 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
pro|)osed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately ;:ubmitted to him. He gave it his ajjproval. 
It -Aas passed without alteration, ar.d he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John -M. 
iiotts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exuliingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced hinr bitterly. K\\ the members of his 
cabinet, exce|>ting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the \Vhigs and President 'I")ler w^eie at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. JNo one was satisfied. Tlie 
land was filled with murmurs and vitu]ieration. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into svmpathy with his 
old friends, the Democi-ats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, tothe regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unspeakable relief His first wife. 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, r844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with tnformation from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. \\\(\\ sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had heljied to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 






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AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 

a President of the United States, 

was born in Mecklenburg Co., 

N. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 

gg). ents were Samuel and Jane 

(Knox) Polk, the former a son 

of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 

at the above place, as one of the 

first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1S06, with his wife 
and cliildren, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of tlie members of 
the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co , they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk siient the 
early \ears of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
, '- ' gradually increased in wealth until 

t); he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
i];C mother was a superior woman, of strong commc^n 
"' : sense and earnest piety. 

'. Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
; reading and e.^pressed the strongest desire to obtain 
~a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
:him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
: principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able- to endure a 



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sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This .was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. \Vith 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted betbre. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 




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JA'JEZ K. POLK. 



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:ourteoiis ia his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the joys and griefs of others \vhich ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the (iuliernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexalionof Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message, President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
^.other States. In the meantime, Gen, Taylor was sent 



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with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was : 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 3^ 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated onHj: 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first p 
called one of "observation," then of "occui)ation 
then of "invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. TheS^J 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgementSt 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration Bt 
that the war was brought on. cj; 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico wasp 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender 10 us, in addition to Texas,^| 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of|| 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the?|ti 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were j| 
some Americans who thought it all rijjhi : there were %\ 

. 11; I 

Others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution ifi 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and ji: 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from ft 
office, having served one term. The next day was % 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and Iia[)i)iness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth Bjii 

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year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen, '^ 



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TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 







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ACHARY TAYLOR, iwelfth 
President of the United States, 
was born on the 24th of Nov., 
1 7 84, in Orange Co., Va. His 
3« lather, Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
») tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentuck) , where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. \\\ this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
all its refinements, young Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bbintness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
manifested a strong desire to enter tlie army to fight 
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 18 1 2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on- the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison,on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 




company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of!j 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily.S^ 
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort 



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approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the ant'xi- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk \ \ 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely , l'*^ " 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. '1'^^ 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept .<r,\^^ 
them at a distance. I IJT'r 



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1 he sun went down ; the savages disai)peared, the } } 
garrison slept upon their arms. One liour before 
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- "fiTTi 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- llJiL 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages tiien, baffled at every jx)int, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
v\ilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 





«xixinxiiji 




iSiuL 64 



ZACHAHY TAYLOR. 



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tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on. Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col. Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of liis own immediate ac(iuaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond tlie Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
had promised they should do. The services rendered 
here secured for Col. Taylor the higli appreciation of 
the Government ; and as a reward, he was elevated 
to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
and was stationed over tiie Department of the South- 
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
from the world, hut faithfully discharging every duty 
imposed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio (irande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Me.xico 
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
3^ I was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
""" was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
Xht sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

Tlie tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
[Whig party decided to take advantage of tliis wonder- 
ul popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
ettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
! daring that he was not at all (jualified for such an 
Hofifice. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
"or forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
Kdwho had been long years in the public service found 
their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 




had never been heard of, save in connection wi'h I'alu ; ^ 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena ; ^ 
Vista. It is said that Daniel \Veljster, in his haste re- : - 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." : h] 

Gen. Taylor was not an elocjiicnt s[)e.iker nor a fine ; 3 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- ; : 
pared such few communications as it was needful : .[ 
should be presented to the [lulilic. rhepo[)iilarity of : li 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- -_% 
uinphantly elected over two op|X)sing candidates, — z'h 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. Sifi 
Though he selected an excellent caliinet, the good 'i^-\ 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial jxisition, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The \)ro-slavery party % 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at tlie door to bar her out. (ien. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians* 

In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. 
His last words were, "I am not ;ifiaid to die. I am 
ready. 1 have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the k 
affections of the people ; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his deatli. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " ^\'ith a good store of 
common sense. Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his t 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignomnce. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket,^n any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
'touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, 
few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor- 
saving contempt for learning of every kind." 



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THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 





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ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
teentli President of the United 
States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the 7th of January, 1800. His 
*^ father was a farmer, and ow- 
mg to misfortune, in humlile cir- 
( umstances. Of his mother, the 
duighter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she possessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
lersonal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
Y 183T ; having hved to see her son a 
' young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slerder ad- 
vantages for education in his eariy years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect mstitutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy, 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent hmi 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some 




enterprising man had commenced the collection of a G H 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessingrjUJi 
to young Fillmore, His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied v.ith 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate; 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read historyJ-^-g 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en-J^i 
kindled in his heart a desire lo be something mora 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age 



nineteen years, and was of fine personal appcaranc.l 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha \ 
there was a gentleman ni the neighborhood cf amplj| 
pecuniary means and of benevolence,— Judge Walte llj^ 
Wood,— who was struck witli the prepossessing apj^S 
pearance uf young Fillmore. He made his acquaint 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability ancp 



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attainments that he advised him to abandon liijllTiji 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. Tli, r •- 'It 
young man replied, that he had no means of his owil : 
no friends to help him and that his previous educ; L 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood haS 
so much confidence in him that he kindly off"ered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan hnn sue' 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generou 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion abo 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed t 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hallf 
and then enters a law office, who is by no means ai 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



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well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the vilhige of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an ^Ider member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in [lolitics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
that liis courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degne the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress He entered that troubled 
arena in some of tiie most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting tlie 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep-* 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave hnn strength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on tiie 
waters of tiie Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, wlio had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused liis name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate wilh liini on the same 
ticket so.ne man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, tiio 
namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore l)ccame 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Filluiore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadequacyof all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The jjopulation of tiie free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, witlioiit any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 



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FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 





^" FRANKLIN PIERCE. '4 






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RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
■ United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate. Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speakingkind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar ; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When siocteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most jiopular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 




nature, rendered 
There was something very peculiarly winning in hi I 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de| 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of hii 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierc^ 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judgejj 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers (j( 
the State, and a man of great private worth 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, hi^ 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brillian'^ 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci| 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With al jji 
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Ger [ 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced th JJ|fJ 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon electei^g 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Herd 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he wa 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an activ| 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in dut)| 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whon 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of agel 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States'-, 
taking his seat just as Mr: Van Buren commencedj 
his administration. He was the youngest member ii] 
the Senate. In the year 1834. he married Miss Jand 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn everl 
station with wliich her husband was honored, Of thCh 



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72 



FRANKLIN FIERCE. 



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three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave.- 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and theprecariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 

f' measures met cordially with his approval; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry Out their plans. 

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-live ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
5 other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States— Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



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His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy lie- 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching iis ; 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 3 
an "irrepressible conflict " between them, and that ''\ 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half \ 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 5' 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate \. 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were liorne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years" term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly ;ilicn- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentin.er.t, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 5 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident , and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of : -J^ 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumi>tion. The : \ 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left " ' 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- : ' 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. : ,jj 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 3: N 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 'v^ 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been =iW 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice S'lji 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- =:;|i- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until St 

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the tune of his death, which occurred in October, j'l 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of Jij^ 
men, an honored coniuiunicant of the Episcopal 3i;i 
Church, and one of the kindest' of neighbors. Gen- ^i 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 5 | 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- \-^ 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. ' 






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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
. teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn,, on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stood was called Stony 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
j 1783, with little property save his 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
facility. 

In the year 1S09, he graduated with tlie liighest 
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enhvened with _ ^ - 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately Q U 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1S12, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 'hj |t| 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but jif 
twenty-si.x years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate ore of the 
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State wlio had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of tlie Lower House. 
During the vacations of Congress, lie occasionall/ 
tried some important case. In 1S31, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, iqion his elevation to ihe Presidency, 
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he jjcrformcd with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri- 




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76 



JAMES Bl/CHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country; and defended the course 
of the President in his Uiiprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
jwrters of his administration. Upon this (question he 
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from the journal of tlie Si;nate the vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the 
circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United 
States mails. 

As to petitions on tlie subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
that tlie reply should be returned, that Congress had 
no power to legislate U|)on the subject. " Congress," 
said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the coarse our Government pursued in that 
movement 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the pi-rpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear agdinst the VVilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050, 
which included the fugiiive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
iT Buchanan with the mission to England. 
3 In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
ceived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
174, and was elected. The jwpular vote stood 
r, 340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On 
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
ears were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
allied in political princi|)les and action for years, were 
seeking the destruction ol the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws, 
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. He therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slaverv 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
operation of the Government to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This 
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed, "The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston: Fort Sumpter 
was besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's 
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion. 
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. 




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ABRAHAM > 






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BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteenth President of the 
^United States, was born in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
1 809. About the year 1 7 80, a 
man by the name of Abraham 
Lincohi left Virginia with his 
J family and moved into the then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
' field, was stealthily approached by 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
J whose name must henceforth forever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
; the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched 
log-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
laborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he buili a' log- 
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
; a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
" All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother. 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



. ^ i LINCOLN. > ^ 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than tliis to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he read 
and re-read until they were almost committed to 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. Thi^re weie joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out liis squatter's claim in 1830, 
and emigrated to iVIacon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
education and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass liis lips. And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the 
Lord thy God in vain ;" and a profane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was unconlaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham worked for a time as a liired laborer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat. 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans. \\'hatcver Abraham I,in- 
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven- 




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ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return tney placed a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointmentof Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected. Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
beg.-m his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred uiiles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 ihe great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr, Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
ilavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
.he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6lh ot June, r86o. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. An immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
orominent. It was generally su[)posed he would be 
the nominee Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: 
and aslittle did he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
only, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that vas poured ujx>n this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was; 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this; 
high [xjsition. In Feijruary, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started; 
for Washington, stopiiing in all the large cities on his; 
way making speeches. The wiiole journey was froughl; 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 1 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination \ 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more liad arranged, iqxin his arrival to" get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to 
take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an 
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincobi 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
important positions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, both personal and national. Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in i86r, however, plans had been 
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would Le present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disa[ipointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will filly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country will 
live with that of Washington's, its father; his country- 
men being unable to decide which is the greater. 



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NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
'States. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
^ the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
'/ was born December 29, 1808, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer even the slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 

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pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book, 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos- 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature, 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important post for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resjwnsible posi- 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abiK 






84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



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ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United St-ates .Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South jjersons who attempted to escape from slavery. 
Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir,'" 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i860, he 
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the South- 
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
uuist lie held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
=j=|i Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
n] pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
3' established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be punished ; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent 



opiX)sition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything jxjssible, to the utmost. In 
the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal- of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Gree«ville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee,«United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the jtli of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 A. M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of -August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 



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LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
eighteenth President of the 
^"United States, was born on 
the 29th of April, 1822, of 
Christian parents, in a humble 
home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the eiriiibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
; side of the animal, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
" Uncle Sam has educated me for the army ; though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised s. company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the 15th of 



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88 



[/LVSSBS S. GRANT. 










June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that lie was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the moutli 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. Tlie 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
Stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon the duties of his new office. 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge oi%\ 
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National p J 
troops for an attack ujxjn Richmond, the nominal; 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de-; 
stroy the rebel armies which would be jiromptly as-Ji.} 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole J-' 
continent seenv^d to tremble under the tpampofthesel"' 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. St | 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains |fi 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. Hisa""! 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series ofSj^i 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en-: ^ 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur-; 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. tA 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The ail 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. "h 
Grant to be the most promment instrument. in its sal-3?i 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered ;;;i 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 3=1 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. %\ 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, ;-k 
May 21, 1 868, he was unanimously nominated for the : 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a ; 
majority of the ]X)pular vote, and 214 out of 294: 
electoral votes. : 

The National Convention of the Republican party : 
which met at Philadelphia on the5tli of June, 1872, : 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term : 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- • 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 ; 
electoral votes being cast for him. 3 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant : 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He : 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, : 
and was everywhere received with such ovations ; 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private '■ 
as well as public and official, as were never befoic 
bestowed upon any citizen of Ijie United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the S 
Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 3 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as t 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 3 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, : 
1885, tlie nation went in mourning over the death of ; 
the illustrious General. E 







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NINETEENTH ^RESIDENT. 









UTHERFORl) B. HAYES, 
the nineteentli President of 
^"^ the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes, the father of President Hayes, was 




born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed-in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver~ 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 




ittrrTTifxi hi 







a,^i 92 



RUTHERFORD B. HA YES. 



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subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
. [Hiring from time to time "if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neigiibor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
i)oy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
him, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
^^i wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

"You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You 
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he went to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
W re. sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
IM^l of others, which are marked traits of his character. 



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His uncle Sardis Bircliard took the deepest interest 
in liis education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; bat he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a jjrofessor in the 
^.| Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
1 tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 
Immediately after his graduation he began the 
'WTf study of law in the office of Tliomas Sparrow, Esq., 
ft H in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
' ^ ~'^ Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
iT W' with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
H [H mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1849 he moved to Cincmnati, where his ambi- 
[iStion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- 
^^^i|uent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
i8™l ^'^"^y y^9X<t Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
[Hj!|} Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
i g^j^ cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
I Ski members stich men as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, 
I 

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Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she toreflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with )oung men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1S61, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright ai'd illustrious. In 
October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old coniracK^ 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, lie 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and whih; 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and i)laced ; 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished services 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In -.1 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were §|1 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. B;-; } 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from K;fi 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his - 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I ; 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by |;P 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. -J^ 

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, '- 
over Hon. .\llen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat, j lj 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. Sk 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 187,. 

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repul- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a _ 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in - 
auRurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his gfijj 
full term, not, however, with satisfaction to his party. " " 
but his admin vstration was an averaete on? ; 



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AilES A, CiARl'IELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. ig, 
1831, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and EHza 
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
was about 20 x 30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
tween the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
hard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
The household comprised the father and mother and 
their four children — Mehetabel, Tliomas, Mary and 
James. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- 
tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
this time James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
tell how much James was indebted to his biother's 
toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
[:E ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
ters live in .Solon, O., near their birthplace. 
■ The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
l^enter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
: would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
r mother in her struggles -to keep the little family to- 




gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did the\ 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until he 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain 
some other kind of employment. He walked all tlie 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city. 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he went 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. 
He then became both teacher and jjupil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a. devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its (lulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion : 



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*'T"''^XX1 III 




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96 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religions convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever sliowed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian comnninions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in wlrich he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
larian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage witli Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. ir, 1858, who proved lierself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were burn seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. (iarfieldmade his first political speeches in 1856, 
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became tlie favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to tiie Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in i86i was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived iiis commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, 1 861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
(Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. ro, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its marcli through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a meinberof the 
General Couit-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was tlien ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of Staff." 

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 




his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won ;:{} 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for sixty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha \Vliittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- „ 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that %.\ 
body. There he remained by successive re- R^iJ 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which 
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu- ;^' 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance :■ 
belter than by anybody else, in some speech made in J^;} 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by I' 
Mr. Garfield." S 

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to : 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the : 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his = 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. ; 
He was elected in the following November, and on : 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- : 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter : 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at tlie depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
liim, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but in.licting no further 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
days, all during tlie hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent »= 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the at 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the S.> 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- J; 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. S; 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J , on the very bank of the jlijy 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The :i}i 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. j^i 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- sM 
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. \t\ 






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I 



TWEJSTY.FIRST PRESIDENT. 










HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

p twenty-first Preskl^iu of the 

United States was born in 

Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 

the fifth of Ociober, 1830, and is 

the oldest of a family of two 

sons and five daughters. His 

father was the Rev, Dr. William 

Arthur, aBaptistd'.rgyman, who 

emigrated to tb.s country from 

the county Antam, Ireland, in 

his 1 8th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newton ville, near Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S< henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration cf that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his jxjcket, 
and entered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward married the daughter of Lieutenant 




Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon, 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs. 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare, 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies iiuickly 




KXrXTtJXTTTn 



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lOO 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 




followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Coin|)any ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to tlie war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In i86i, he was made Insjjcc- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New Yoik, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of tlie gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, witli Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, iSSo. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on thecontinent. It 
was com[X)sed of the leading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer uf 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
March 4, 188 r, as President and Vice-President. 
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — ^those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



1 

1 

1 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- : 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- % 
able patience that he manifested during those hours jf | 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- % 
fdring man has often been called upon to endure, was %\ 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- J'j 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. §l| 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his sf } 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest S^J 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 3j \ 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 3:] 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most p J 
honored )X)sition in the world was at any moment 3!-!' 
likely to fall to him. 3] 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 3 
field from further suffering, and the world, as never : 
before in its history over the death of any other : 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of -. 
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of 3 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 3 
Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing ; 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 3; 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- ^j; 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 5r' 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 3[ 
and many important measures were to be immediately 5| 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 5" 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 3t 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on Ei 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President q? 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in Iiis own 
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration, p 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the p 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was gl 
a popular candidate before his party for a second '' 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 3'! 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great at} 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity %\ 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have p 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party S|' 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. ' 



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TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 





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TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is stiU 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the " good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 




emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supporting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he. did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 



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M 104 



J?. GROVER CLEVELAND. 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
ne left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
ask the advice of Iris uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
speak entluisiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply. " Good gracious ! " remarked 
the old gentleman ; "do you, indeed ? What ever put 
I that into your head.? How much money have you 
^^1 got-''" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 

lUB, After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, wiiile he could " look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat— he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two 
criminals. Li 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buff^ilo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 



ll 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that %-, 

city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his |:i 

performance of duty has generally been considered Sji 

fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- alii 

reted out and magnified during the last Presidential : H 

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campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in : 

a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- ; 

tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for g 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 

lie plainly staled. I regard it as the culmination of §; 

a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme ; 

to betray tlie interests of the people and to worse : 

than squander the people's money." The New York ; 

Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 3 

land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- : 

upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire ; 

State. To the latter office be was elected in 1882, ; 

and his administration of the affairs of State was : 

generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if ; 

any, were made very public throughout the nation \ (j 

after he was nominated for President of the United ; 1 

States. For this high office he was nominated July jjji 

II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at S;! 

Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 3p 

Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, gg 



was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 



Beniamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he ssti 

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thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- Sti 

lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- rin 

land resigned his office as Governor of New York in Jh 

January, 18S5, in order to prepare for his duties as rj 

the Chief Executive of the United States, in which \:]\ 

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1 



capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 

the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, ;:} 

Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware; Secretary of the jii} 

Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary H?) 

of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts; 3i} 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Wliitney, of New 

York; Secretary of the Literior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of ;;[ 

Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 5i} 

of Wisconsin; .\ttorney-General, K. H. Garland, of Ji} 

Arkansas. KJ 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- »=} 

tween those who were in favor of the continuance of :n 

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silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. V'\ 

Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his i? 1 

inauguration. 



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NSEL BRIGGS, the first 
gentleman chosen to fill the 
iiuliernatorial chair of Iowa 
after its organization as a 
State, was a native of Ver- 
mont, and was Ijom Feb. 3, 
l«0lj. His parents, wlio likewise 
were New Englanders, were Ben- 
jamin and f^lecta Briggs. The 
lyhood of our subject was 
passed in his native State, and in at- 
tendance upon the common schools 
he received a fair education which 
was subsequent!}' improved by a 
terni at Norwich Academy. When 
a young man he removed with his 
parents to C'aml)ridge, (iuenisey Co.. Ohio, where 
young Briggs engaged in the work of establishing 
stage lines. lie also here embarked in political 
affairs and as a Whig run for the office of County 
Auditor but was defeated by .lohn Ferguson, a 
Jackson Democrat. 

After remaining in Ohio for six years, the glow- 
ing accounts of the fair fields and the fertile prairies 
of the Territory of Iowa, led him westward across 
the Father of Waters. He had previouslj' united 
his fortunes in life with Nancy M. Dunlap, daugh- 
ter of Major IJunlap, an officer in the War of 1812. 
Even prior to tliis marriage he had chosen a wife, 
a lady who was born on the same day and j'ear as 
himself, but of whom he was soon bereft. He 
brought with him to Iowa his little family and lo- 
cated at Andrew, in Jackson County. Seeing the 



opportunity here for resuming his former business, 
he began opening up stage lines, frequentlj' driving 
the old stage coach himself. He made several con- 
tracts with the Postofflce Department for carrying 
the United States mails weekly between Dubuque 
and Davenport, l)ul)uque and Iowa City and other 
routes, thus opening up and carrying on a very im- 
portant enterprise. Politically, Gov. Briggs was a 
Democrat, and on coming to Iowa identified him- 
self with that party. In 1842 he was chosen a 
member of the Territorial House of Representatives 
from Jackson Count}', and subsequently was elected 
Sheriff of the same county. He had taken a lead- 
ing part in public affairs, and upon the formation of 
the .State Government in 184(3, he became a prom- 
inent candidate for Governor, and though his com- 
petitors in his own party were distinguished and 
well-known citizens, Mr. Briggs received the nom- 
ination. The convention was held in Iowa City, 
on Thursday, Sept. 24, 1840, and assembled to 
nominate State officers and two Congi-essmen. It 
was called to order by F. D. Mills, of Des Moines 
County. William Thompson, of Henrj' County, 
presided, and J. T. Fales, of Dul)uque, was Secre- 
tary. The vote for Governor in the convention 
stood: Briggs, sixty-two; Jesse Williams, thirty- 
two, and Willi.am Thomitson, thirty-one. The two 
latter withdrew, and Briggs was then diosen by ac- 
clamation. Elisha Cutler, Jr., of Van Buren Coun- 
tj', was nominated for Secretary of State ; Joseph 
T. Fales, f>f Linn, for Auditor, and Morgan Reno, 
of .Johnson, for Treasurer. S. C. Hastings and 
Sheperd Leffler were nominated for Congress. The 



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elpotion wn^; liolil Oct. 28. 1846, the entire Deiiio- 
cvatio ticket liein"' sncfcssful. Urigifs received 
7.fi20 votes itnd his coinpctitor. Thomas McKiiiifht. 
the Whig caiuliilnlc. 7,379, giving Briggs a major- 
ity of 247. 

The principal (piestioii l)etween the two leading 
parties, the Democratic and the Whig, at this period, 
ivas that of the h.inking system. It is related that 
1 short time ])rior to the meeting of the conven- 
{ion which nominated Mr. Briggs, that in offering 
I toast at a l)an(inet, he struck the key-note which 
fliade him the jiopular man of the hour. He said, 
"No banks l)Ut earth ruid they well tilled." This 
was at once caught up liy liis party and it did mcjre 
to secure him the nomination than anj'thing else. 
His administration was one void of any special in- 
terest. He labored in harmonious accord with his 
party, yet frequently exhibited an independence of 
principle, characteristic of his nature. The ]Mis- 
souri liounchiry question which caused a great deal 
of excited controversy at this period, and even a 
determination to resort to arms, was handled liy 
him with great ability. 

On his election as Executive of the State, Gov. 
Briggs sold out his mail contract, but after the ex- 
piration of his term of service he continued his 
residence in .laekson County. In 1870 he removed 
to Council Bluffs. He had visited the western 
part of the State l)efore the flaj^ of railroads in that 
section, making the trip l\y carriage. On the occa- 
sion he enrolled himself .as one of the founders of 
the town of Florence on the Nebraska side of the 
river and six miles above Council Bluffs, and which 
for a time was a vigoious rival of Omaha. Dur- 
ing the mining excitement, in 1860, he made a trij) 
to Colorado, and tluee years later, in company 
with ills son .lolui and a large party, went to 
Montana, where he remained until the year 



I si;."), when he returned to hi- liomc in Iowa. 

.\s al)ove stated, fiov. Briggs was twice married, 
iiis first wife being his comi)auiou for a brief time 
only. His second wife Imre him eight (liildnn. :dl 
of whom died in infancy save two. and of tliese hit- 
ter, Ansel, Jr., died May l.i. 18(17, aged twenty- 
live j'ears. .John S. Briggs, the r>nly -nrvivor of 
the family, is editor of the Idalin Hi-rdhl. pnlili>iieil 
at Blackfoot, Idaho Territory. Mr>. l)rigg> die(l 
Dec. :50, 1847. while her hu-liaiid w:i> (oixcnioi- of 
the State. She was a devoted Christian lady, a 
strict member of the Presbyterian Churcji, ami a 
woman of strong domestic tastes. She wa> higlilv 
educated, anil endowed by nature witii that 
womanly tact and grace which eualiled lier toadorn 
the high position her husband li;\d att.MiiuMl. 
She dis|3ensed a l)ouuteous hos])itality, tliongh her 
home w;is in a log house, .and was highly esteemed 
and admired l)y all who met her. 

(iov. Briggs went in and out among his ])eople 
for many ^-ears after his retirement from the execu- 
tive ofiice, and even after his return from the .Mon 
tana expedition. He was admired for his able 
services rendered .so unselfishly during the pioneer 
period of the now great and populous State. His 
last illness, ulceration of the stomach, was of brief 
duration, lasting only five weeks, indeed only three 
days before his death he was alile to be out. Ills 
demise occurred at the residence of his son, John 
S. Briggs, in Omaha, Neb., at half-past three of the 
morning of Maj' 5, 1881. His death Wiu; greatly 
mourned all over the State. I'pon the following 
day, (iov. (iear issued a proclamation reciting his 
services to the State, ordering half-honr giui> to lie 
fired .ind the national flag on the State caiiitol ti 
be put at half-mast during the day upon which 
the funeral was held, which was the following Sun- 
day succeeding his death. 







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GOVERNORS OP^ IOWA. 





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TEPHEN HEMPSTEAD, sec- 
ond Governor of Iowa, is a 
native of Connecticut, where, 
at New London, he was born 
Oct. 1, 1812. He resided in 
that State with his parents 
until 1828, when the family 
came West, locating upon a farm 
near Saint Louis. This was the 
home of joung Stephen until 1830, 
when he went to Galena, lU., where 
he served in the capacit>- of a clerk 
in a commission house for a time. 
He was there during the exciting 
period of the Black Hawk troubles, 
and was an officer in an artillery 
lompany which had been organized for the protec- 
tion of (Jalena. After the defeat of Black Hawk 
Mud tlif consequent termination of Indian troubles, 
he entered the Illinois College at .Jacksonville, 
wliere he remained for about two years. On ac- 
count of difficulties which lie got into about 
sectarianism and abolitionism, he left the college 
and ivturned to Missouri. He shortly afterward 
entered the office of Charles S. Hempstead, a prom- 
inent lawyer of (Jalena. and began the stud}' of the 
profession in which he afterward became quite pro- 



ficient. In 1836 he was admitted to practice in all 
the courts of the Territorj' of Wisconsin, which at 
the time embraced the Territory of Iowa, and the 
same year located at Dubuque, being the first law- 
yer who began the practice of his profession at that 
place. 

As might be expected in a territory but thinly 
populated, but one which was rapidly settling up, 
the services of an able attorney would be in de- 
mand in order to draft the laws. L'pon the organ- 
ization of the Territorial Government of Iowa in 
1838, he was, with Gen. Warner Lewis, elected to 
represent the northern portion of the Territor3' in 
the Legislative Council, which assembled in Bur- 
lington that year. He was Chairman of the Com- 
mittee .Judiciary, and at the second session vf that 
body was elected its President. He was again 
elected a member of the Council, in 1845, over 
which he also presided. In 1844 he was elected 
one of the delegates of Dubuque County, f(jr the 
first convention to frame a constitution for the 
State. In 1848, in company with .Judge Cnarles 
Mason and W. G. Woodward, he was appointed 
bj' the Legislature Commissioner to revise the laws 
of the State, which revision, with a few amend, 
ments, was adopted as the code of Iowa in 1851. 

In 1850 Mr. Hempstead was elected Governor of 






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116 



STEPHEN HKMPSTEAD. 



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pi iniijlit rec-eive the oath prescribed by the Constitu 






the State, and served with !i))ility for four 3'ears, 
that being tiie full term iiiider tiie Constitution at 
the time. lie ipceivcd i;i,4?<G votes against 11,- 
403 cast fi)i- Ills (i|)j)(m('nt, James L. 'rhonn)son. 
After the vote had l)ecn canvassed a committee 
was appointed to inform the (Jovernor-elect that 
the two Houses of the Legislature were ready to re- 
ceive him in joint cf)nvention, in order that he 



lion. Gov. Hempstead, accompanied by the retir- 
ing Executive, Gov. Briggs, the Judges of the Su- 
preme Court and the olficers of State, entered the 
hall of the House where the Governor-elect deliv- 
ered liis inaugural message, after which the oath 
was administered by the Chief Justice of the Su- 
preme Court. This was an important period in the 
history' of the State, being at a time when the pub- 
lic affairs were assuming definite shape, and indeed 
it was what might be termed the formative period. 
The session of the Legislature passed many imjiort- 
ant acts which were approved by the Governor, and 
during his term there were fifty-two new counties 
formed. Gov. llemiistead in his message to the 
Fourth General Assembly in December, 1852, 

Ijj stated that among other things, the population of 

^ the State according to the Federal census was 192,- 
214, and that the State census showed an increase 
for one year of 37,780. He also stated that the re- 
sources of the State for the coming two years 
"would l)e sufticient to cancel all that part of funded 

Wf debt which was [)ayable at its option. 

W Among the numerous counties organized was one 
named Buncombe, which received its name in the 
following way : Tiie Legislature was comi)Osed of a 
large majority fav(jring stringent corporation laws 
and the liability of individual stockholders for cor- 
parate debts. This sentiment, on account of the 
agitation of railroad enterprises then being inaugu- 
Ijrated. brought a large number of jnominent men 
to the capital. To have an effect upon the Legis- 
lature, they organized M "lobby I^egislature" and 
elected as (Joveruor, Verplank Van Antwerp, who 
i delivered to the self-constituted body a lengthy 
gj message in wliich he siiai'i)ly criticized the regular 
General Assenilily. Some of the members of the 
latter were in the hal)it of making long and useful 
speeches much to the hindrance of business. To 



Uicsi' he especially referred, charging them with 
speaking for "'Buncombe," and recommended tli:ii 
as a la.sting memorial a county should be called li_\ 
that name. This suggestion was readily seized on 
by the Lcgislnture, and the county of Buncombe 
was created with few dissenting voices. However, 
the General Assembly, in 1 KOi, changed the name 
to Lj'on, in licmor of Gen. Nathaniel Lyon who was 
killed in the early part of the Civil \\':\v. 

The season of I80I was one of great (li^:^ppoint- 
ment to the pioneers of Iowa, and much suffering 
was the result of the bad season of that year. By 
the year 1854, the State had fully recovered from 
the depression thus produced, and that year as well 
as the following, the emigration from tlie East was 
unju'ecedented. The prairies of Illinois were liucil 
day after daj' with a continuous caravan of oiii- 
grants pushing on toward Iowa. Huring a single 
month 1743 wagons bound for Iowa passed through 
Peoria. So remarkable had been the influx of pe(»- 
ple into the State, that in an issue of the Burling- 
ton Teleyrajjh appeared the following statement: 
"Twenty thousand emigrants have passed througli 
the city within the last thirty days, and they aic 
still crossing the Mississippi at the rate of (iOO a day." 

At the expiration of his term of service, which 
occurred in the latter part of the year IHTil. (miv. 
Hempstead returned to his old home .it Dulviupie. 
In 1H55 he w.as elected Countj' Judge of Dubuque 
County, and so acceptably did he serve the people 
that for twelve years he w.<is chosen to fill that posi- 
tion. . Under his administration the jirincipal 
county building, including the jail. po<irhouse, as 
well as some valuable bridges, were erected. 
Owing to ill-health he was compelled to retire from 
l)ublic life, passing the remainder of his d;iy> in 
(piietude and repose at Dubuque. There lie lived 
until Feb. Ui, 1883. when, at his home, the light of 
his long and eventful life went out. The record 
lie has made, which was an honoralile and distin- 
guished one, was closed, and Iowa was called upon 
to mourn the loss of one of her most distinguished 
pioneer citizens. He had been an unusually useful 
man of the State and his services, which were able 
and wist', were rendered in that unselfish sjjirit 
whicli distinguished so many of the early residents 
of this now prosperous State. 



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AMES AV. ORBIKS. the 
third geiitleinuii tu fill the 
Kxeoutive Chair of tlie .State 
of Iowa, was bom in tlie 
town of Deering, Hillsbor- 
ough Co., N. H., Oct. 20, 
j9 181G. His parents, John and 
Elizabeth (Wilson) Grimes, were 
also natives ()f the same town. 
The former was born on the 1 Ith 
of August, 1772, and the mother 
March IS), 177;3. They l)ecaine the 
l>arents of eight children, of whom 
.Tames was the youngest and lie- 
came one of the most distinguislied 
citizens of Iowa. He attended the 
!i ! district scho"()ls, and in early cliildhood evinced an 
unusual taste for learning. Besides attending the 
jij district schools, the village pastor instructed him 
} : ! in Greek and Latin. After completing his prepar- 
}: : ations for college, which he did at Hampton Acad- 
emy, he entered Dartmouth College, in Augu.st, 
i 18;32, which was in the sixteenth year of his age. 
{ j He was a hard student, advanced rapidly, and in 
February, 183.5, bid adieu to the college halls, and 
} ! with .lames Walker, of Peterborough. N. H., he be- 
™ gan the study of his chosen profession. 




Feeling that his native State afforded too limited 
advantages, and, in fact, being of a rather advent- 
urous disposition, as well as ambitious, he desired 
broader fields in which to carve for himself a fort- 
une. He accordingly left the home that had 
sheltered him during his boyhood days, and turn- 
ing his face Westward proceeded until he had 
crossed the great Father of Waters. It was in 
1836, and young Grimes was indeed 3'oung to thus 
take upon himself such responsiliilities; but pos- 
sessing business tact, determination and tenacity, 
as well as an excellent [jrofessional training, he de- 
termined to open an office in the then new town of 
Burlington, Iowa. Here he hung out his shingle, 
and ere long had established a reputation Avhich 
extended far lieyond the confines of the little city. 

In April, 1837, he was appointed City Solicitor, 
and entering upon the duties of that office he 
assisted in drawing up the first police laws of that 
town. In 1838 he was appointed .lustice of the 
Peace, and became a law jiartner of William W. 
Chapman. United States Disti'ict Attorney for 
Wisconsin Territory. In the early part of the year 
1.S41 he formetl a ])artnershi|) with Henry W.Starr, 
Es(|.. which continued twelve years. This firm 
sto<i(l at the head of the legal profession in Iowa. 
Mr. (i rimes was widely- known as a counselor with 




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120 



JAMES W. GRIMES. 



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.superior knowlprlgc of the law, and with a clear 
sense of truth and justice, lie was chosen one of 
the Representatives of l)es Moines Countj' in the 
first Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa, 
which convened .at Hurliiifrton, Nov. 12. 18.38; in 
the sixth, at Iowa City, Dec. 4, 1 843 ; and in the 
fourth rieneral Assembly of the State, at Iowa City, 
Dec. 6. 18.52. He early took front rank among the 
public men of Iowa. lie was Chairman of the 
Judiciary Ccmimittee in the House of Representa- 
tives of the first Legislative Asseml)h' of the Ter- 
ritory, and all laws for the new Territor}' passed 
through his liniids. 

Mr. (Jrinies had l)econiP prominently identified 
with the Wiiig i)arty, and being distinguished as an 
able lawyer, as well as a fair-minded, conscientious 
man, he was a i)roininent candidate for (Governor 
before the convention which met in February, 1854. 
It was the largest convention of that party ever 
held in bjwa and the last. He was chosen as a nom- 
inee for (iovernor. was duly elected, and in Decem- 
ber, 18.04, assumed the duties of the office. Shortly 
after his election it was pro|)osed that he should go 
to the United States Senate, but he gave his ad- 
mirers to understand that he was determined to fill 
the term of office for which he had been chosen. 
This he did, serving the full term to the entire sat- 
isfaction of all parties. He wtis a faithful party 
leader, and so able were his services that, while at 
the time of his election as (iovernor Democracy 
reigned supreme in the .State anil its representatives 
in Congress were allied to the slave power, he 
turned the .State over to the Republican partj'. 

His term of office expired Jan. 14, 1858, when 
he retired from the ICxecutive Chair, only, how- 
ever, to assume the responsibilities of a United 
States Senator. I'lxHi the 4th of March of the fol- 
lowing year he took his seat in the Senate and was 
placed upon the Committee on Xaval Affairs, upon 
which he remained duiing hi> Senatorial career, 
serving as Chairman of that important c(jmmittee 
from December, 1804. .Tau. 1(!. 1804, Mr. Grimes 
wa.s again chosen to represent Iowa in the Senate 
lit the United States, receiving all but six of the 
vote.> of the (ieneral As.sembly in joint convention. 

His counsel was often sought in matters of gi'eat 
mimient. and in cases of jjeculiar difficulty. Al- 



ways ready to promote the welfare of the State, he 
gave, unsolicited, land worth |i(),00() to the Congre- 
gational College, at Griunell. It constitutes the 
" Grimes foundation," and '• is to be applied to the 
establishment and maintenance in Iowa College, 
forever, of four scholarships, to be awarded by tln' 
Trustees, on the recommendation of the faculty. \- 
the best scholars, and the most promising, in any 
department, who may need and seek such aid. and 
without anj' regard to the religious tenets or opin- 
ions entertained by any ]ierson seeking either of 
said scholarships." These terms wei'e imposed by 
Mr. Grimes, and assumed July 2(1. IH05, by the 
Trustees. He received the honorary degree of 
LL.D. in 1865 from Dartmouth College, and also 
from Iowa College. He also aided in founding a 
public library in Burlington, donating ^5,000. which 
was expended in the purchase of costly books, and 
subsequently sent from Europe 250 volumes in the 
(German language, and also contributed 000 vol- 
umes of public documents. 

In January, 180y, he made a donation of %5,0()0 
to Dartmouth College, and i^l.HOdto the "Social 
Friend," a literary society of which he was a mem- 
ber when in college. 

His health failing, Mr. Grimes sailed for Europe, 
April 14, 180y, remaining abroad two years, 
reaching home Sept. 22, 1871, apparently in im- 
proved health and spirits. In November he cele- 
brated his silver wedding, and spent the closing 
months of his life with his family. He voted at 
the city election, Feb. 5. 1872, and was suddenly- 
attacked with severe pains in the region of the 
heart, and died after a few short hours of intense 
suffering. 

Senator Grimes w.as united in marriage at Bur- 
lington, la., Nov. 9, 1840, with Miss .Sarah Elizabeth 
Neally. Mr. Grimes stood in the foremost ranks 
among the men of his time, not only in the State 
but of the nation. The young attorney who left 
the gi'anite hills of New Ilamjishire for the fertile 
prairies of the West, distinguished himself ln)th as 
an attorney jind a statesman. His jiersonal history 
is SI) insei^arably interwoven in that of the history 
of the Strife that a sketch of his life is indeed but a 
record of the history of his adopted State during 
the years of his manhood and vigor. 







m 




J 





^^ALPH P. LOWE, the fourth 



Governor <:)f the State of 
Iowa, was born in Ohio in 
the j'ear 1808, and like many 
^>thers of the distinguished 
men of Iowa, eanie within her 
borders in early jiioneer 
times. He was a young man 
but a little over thiity years 
of age when he crossed the great 
Father of Waters, settling ui)on its 
western bank at the then small vill- 
age of Muscatine. He at once 
identified himself with the interests 
of the growing city, and ere long 
became quite prominent in local 
affairs and of recognized ability in 
questions of pulilic iJolicy. He was shortl}' after- 
ward chosen as a representative from Muscatine 
County to the Constitutional Convention of 1H44, 
which framed the Constitution which was rejected 
by the i)eople. 

After tills Constitutional convention, j\lr. Lowe 
took no further part in public matters for a num- 
ber of years. He removed to Lee County about 
1849 or ';j(>, where he l)ecame District Judge as a 
successor to George II. Williams, who was after- 
ward famous as President (Grant's Attorney Gen- 
eral. He was District Judge five years, from 18.52 
to 1857, being succeeded l\y Judge Claggett. In 
the summer of 1857 he was nominated bj' the lie- 
publicans for Governor of Iowa, with Oran Faville 
for Lieuteuaut-Govemor. The Democracy put in 



the field Benjamin M. Samuels for Governor and 
George Gillaspj' for Lieutenant-Governor. There 
was a third ticket in the field, supported by the 
American or "'Know-Nothing" part^', and liearing 
the names of T. F. Henry and Easton Morris. 
The election was held in October, 1857, and gave 
Mr. Lowe 38,498 votes, against 36,088 for Mr. 
Samuels, and 1,006 for Mr. Henr}-. 

Hitherto the term of office had been four years, 
but Ijj' an amendment to the Constitution this was 
now reduced to two. Gov. Lowe was inaug- 
urated Jan. 14, 1858, and at once sent his first 
message to the Legislature. Among the measures 
passed by this Legislature were bills to incorporate 
the State Bank of Iowa ; to provide for an agi-icult- 
ural college; to authorize the business of banking; 
disposing of the land grant made by Congress to 
the Des Moines A'alley Railroad; to provide for 
the erection of an institution ft)r the education of 
the blind, and to provide tor taking a State census. 

No events of importance occurred during the 
admiuistration of Gov. Lowe, but it was not a 
period of uninterrupted [jrosperity. The Governor 
said in his biennial message of Jan. 10, 1860, 
reviewing tiie preceeding two years : " The period 
that has elapsed since the last biennial session has 
lieen one of great disturbing causes, and of anxious 
solicitude to all classes of our fellow-citizens. The 
first year of this period was visited « itli liea\y and 
continuous rains, which reduced the measure of 
our field crops Itelow one-half of the usual iHX>duct, 
whilst the financial revulsion which commenced 
upon the Atlantic coast in the autumn of 1857, did 



tllt:i 123 



RALPH p. LOWE. 



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not ri'.-ich its eliiiiax for evil in our borders until 
tlif yv.w just past." 

lie referred at leiiglli to liie elaiiu of the State 
Mjiaiiist the I''ederal (iovernnient, and said that he 
had appealed in vain to the Seeretary of the Inte- 
rior for the payment of the ;') per cent upon the 
luilitary land warrants that the State is justly en- 
titled to, wliieii then approximated to a million of 
dollars. The payment of this fund, he said, "is 
not a mere fa^or which is asked of the General 
(iovernnient, but a subsisting right which could be 
enforced in a court of justice, were there a tribunal 
of thi.s kind clothed with the requisite jurisdiction." 

The subject of tlie l)es Moines River grant re- 
ceived from the (iovernor si>ecial attention, and he 
gave a history of the operations of the .State author- 
ities in reference to obtaining the residue of the 
lands to which the State was entitled, and other in- 
formation as to the progress of the work. He also 
remarked " that under the act authorizing the Gov- 
ernor to rai.se a company of mounted men for de- 
fense and protection oi our frontier, approved 
Feb. y, IKjH, a company of thirty such men, known 
as the Frontier Guards, armed and equipped as re- 
quired, w'cre organized and mustered into service 
inider the command of Capt. Henrj' B. Martin, of 
Webster City, about the 1st of March then follow- 
ing, and were divided into two companies, one 
stationed on the Little Sioux River, the otlier at 
.Sjnrit Lake. Their presence afforded security and 
gave quiet to the settlements in that region, and 
after a .service of four months they were disbanded. 

" Late in the fall of the year, however, gi-eat 



alarm and consternation was again felt in the 
region of Spirit Lake and Sioux River settlemenl-. 
produced by the ajjpearance of large nundiers of 
Indians vn the border, whose bearing was insolent 
and menacing, and who were charged with clan- 
destinely running off the stock of the settler-. 
The most urgent appeals came from these settkM>. 
invoking again the protection of the State. Frcjui 
representations made of the imminence of their 
danger and the losses akeady sustained, the Gov- 
ernor summoned into the field once more the 
frontier guards. After a service of four or five 
months they were again discharged, and paid in tin- 
manner prescribed in the act under which they were 
called out." 

Gov. Lowe was beaten for the reiioniiuatiun 
by Hon. S. J. Kirkwood, who was consi<lere(l 
much the stronger man. To compensate lain for 
his defeat for the second term, Ciov. Lowe 
was apjjointed one of the three Judges under the 
new Constitution. He drew the short term, which 
expired in 1861, but was returned and served, all 
told, eight years. He then returned to the prac- 
tice of law, gradually working into a claim busi- 
ness at Washington, to which city he removed 
about 1874. In that city he died, on Saturday. 
Dec. 22, 1883. He had a large famil}'. Carletou, 
one of his sons, was an officer in the Third Iowa 
Cavalry during the war. 

Gov. Lowe was a man of detail, accurate and 
industrious. In private and public life he wa,- 
liure, upright and honest. In religious faith lie 
was inclined to be a Spii'itualist. 




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UK fifth ( Jovi'i'iKir of Iowa 
was Samuel .1. Kirkwood. 
He was liorii in Hartford 
County, Md., on his father's 
farm, Dee. 20, 1«13. His 
fatlier was twice married, 
first to a lady named Coulson, 
wlm Ijecame the mother of two 
sons. After the death of tliis 
companion, the elder Kirkwood 
was united in marriage with 
Mary Alexander, who liore him 
three children, all of whom were 
%f sons. Of this little family Samuel 
I was the youngest, and when ten 
j'ears of age was sent t(j Washington City to at- 
tend a school taught by John McLeod, a relative of 
the family. Here he remained for four 3'ears, giv- 
ing diligent .attention to his studies, at the close of 
which time he entered a drug store at AVashington 
as clerk. In this capacity he continued with the 
exception of eighteen months, until he reached his 
majority. During the interval referred to, young 
Kirkwood was living the life of a pedagogue in 
York County. Pa. 

In the year 1«35. Samuel fpiit Washington and 
eume westward to Richland Connty, Ohio, llis 
father and Ijrother had preceded him from Mai_y- 
land, locating upon a timljeretl farm in the Buckeye 
State. Here Samuel lent them valuaf)le assistance 
in clearing the farm. He was aml)itious to enter 
the legal profession, and iu the yeai' 1841, an oppor- 



tunity was affordt'd liim to enter the oflice of 
Thomas W. Bartley, afterward (iovernor of Ohio. 
The following two years lie gave diligent a|)plica- 
tion to his books, and iu 184:5, was admitted to 
practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He was 
then fortunate enough to form an association in 
the practice of his profession with his former pre- 
ceptor, which relations continued for eight years. 

From 184.1 to 1849 he served as Prosecuting 
Attorney of his county. In 184!) he w.as elected 
as a Democrat to represent his county and district 
in the Constitutional Convention. In 18.")1 Mr. 
Bartley, his partner, having been elected to the 
Supreme Judiciary of the State, Kirkwood formed 
a partnershii> with liarnalias Barns, with whom he 
continued to practice until the spring of 1855,' 
when he removed to the West. 

Up to 18.54 ]Mr. Kirkwood had acted witli the 
Democratic party. But the measures proposed and 
sustained that year liy the Democracy in Congi'ess, 
concenti.ited in what was known as the Kansas- 
Nebraska Act, drove him with hosts of anti-slavery 
Democrats out of the party. He was besouglit l)y 
the ojiposition in the "Richland District" to be- 
come their candidate for Congress. l)ut <lei-lined. 
In 18;'),) he came to Iowa and settled two miles 
northwest of Iow;i City, entering into a partnership 
with his In-other-in-law. Kzckiel Clark, in tiie mill- 
ing business, .-md kept aloof from piilijic affairs. 
He could not long conceal his record and al)ilities 
from his neighbors, however, and in 18.1t; he was 
elected to the State Senate from the district com- 









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128 



SAMUEL J. KIRKAVOOD. 






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posed of the counties of Io\v:i and .lohuson, and 
served in the last session of the Legislature lield at 
Iowa City and the lirst one held at I)es Moines. 

In l.s.V.) Mr. Khkw<ji)d was made the standard- 
licarer of the Re|)ul)lieans of Iowa, and though he 
liad as able and popular a eompetitor as Gen. A. 
t'. Dodge, he was elected (iovernor of Iowa by a 
niaji>rity iif (ivcr .i.OOl). lie was inaugurated .Tan. 
11, ISOO. IJefore the expiration of his first term 
eanie the great Civil War. As ( Iovernor, during 
the darkest days <if the Rel)ellion. he performed an 
exceedingly important duty. He secured a prompt 
response by volunteers to all recpiisitions by the 
Federal Government on the State for troops, so 
that during his (iovernorship no "draft" took 
place in Iowa, and no regiment, except the first, 
enlisted for less than three years. At the same 
time he maintained the State's financial credit. 
The Legislature, at its extra .se.ssi()U in IfSlJl, 
authorized the .sale of $800,000 in bonds, to assist 
in arming and equipping troojjs. So frugall}- was 
this work done, that but *300,000 of the bonds 
were sold, and the remaining $.J00,000 not having 
been required, the bonds representing this amount 
were destroyed by order of the succeeding Legis- 
lature. 

In Octoljer, 18Gl,Gov. Kirkwood was, with com- 
[laratively little opposition, re-elected — an honor 
accorded for the first time in the historj- of the 
State. His majority was about 18,000. During 
his second term he was appointed by President 
Lincoln to l)e ^linister to Denmark, but he declined 
to enter upon his diplomatic duties until the expir- 
ation of his term as Governor. Tlie position was 
kept open for him until that time, but, when it 
came, pressing private business compelled a declin- 
ation of the ottice altogether. 

In January, 1 86(5, he was a prominent canditlati^ 
before the Legislature for United Stales .Senator. 
Senator Harlan had resigned the Senatorsliip upon 



his appoinlnicnl to the oliicc of Scrrclaiy of llic 
Interior liy President l.incohi. just before his 
death, liut had withdrawn from the ealiinet soon 
after the accession of Mr. .Johnson to the Presi- 
dency. In this wajMt hap|»ened that tiie Legisla- 
ture had two terms of United States Senator to lill, 
a .short term of two years, to fill Harlan's luiexpired 
term, and a long term of six years to immediately 
succeed this; and Harlan had now Ijecome a candi- 
date for his own successorship, to which Kirkwood 
also aspired. Ultimately, Kirkwood was elected 
for the first and Harlan for the .second term. Dur- 
ing his brief Senatorial service, Kirkwood did not 
hesitate to measure swords witli Senator Snmner, 
whose natural egotism had begotten in liini .-ui ar- 
rogant and dictatorial manner, borne witli liuiidily 
until then by his colleagues, in deferenee to his 
long experience and eminent ability, but unpalata- 
ble to an independent Western Senator like Kirk- 
wood. 

At the close of his Senatorial term. .March 1, 
1867, he resumed the practice of law, which a few 
years later he relinquished to accei)t the Presidcnc\- 
of the Iowa City Savings B.ank. In 187.') he was 
again elected Governor, and was inaugurated Jan. 
i;i, 187(i. He served but little over a j'ear, as 
early in 1877 he was chosen United States Senator. 
He filled this position four years, resigning to be- 
come Secretary of the Interior in President Gar- 
field's Cabinet. In this office he was succeeded, 
Ai)ril 17, 1882, by Henry ]M. Teller, of Colorado. 

(iov. Kirkwood returned to Iowa Cit^', his home, 
where he still resides, being now advanced in yeai-s. 
He was married in 1843, to Miss Jane Clark, a na- 
tive of Oluo. 

In 1880 Mr. Kirkwood was tionunated for Con- 
grt'ss l)y the Repulilicans of his district. Consider- 
.-dile interest was manifested in the content. a> lioth 
the Labor and Democratic parties had i)oi)uhir can- 
didates in the lield. 





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ILLIAM M. STONE, the 
sixth Governor of Iowa, was 
born Oct. 14, 1827. His 
parents, Truman and La- 
vina (North) Stone, who 
were of English ancestry, 
lOved to Lewis County, N. 
., when William was but a 
illiam's gTandfather, Aaron 
the second war with En- 
gland. When our subject Avas six years 
of age his i)arents moved into Ohio, lo- 
cating in Coshocton County. Like many 
other self-made men, William M. had few 
advantages. He never attended a school 
of any kind more than twelve months. 
In boyhood he was for two seasons a team-driver 
on the Ohio Canal. At seventeen he was appren- 
ticed to the ehairmaker's trade, and he followed 
that business until he was twenty-three years of 
age, reading law meantime during his spai-e hours, 
wherever he happened to be. He commenced at 
Coshocton, with James Mathews, who afterward 
became his father-in-law; continued his reading 
with Gen. Lucius V. Pierce, of Aki'on, and finished 
with Ezra B. Taylor, of Ravenna. He was admitted 
to the bar in August, 1851, by Peter Hitchcock 
and Rufus P. Ranney, Supreme Judges- holding a 
terra of court at Ravenna, 



After practicing three years at Coshocton with 
his old preceptor, James Mathews, he, in November, 
18.54, settled in Knoxville, which has remained his 
home since. The year after locating here Mr. 
Stone purchased the Knoxville Journal, and was 
one of the prime movers in forming the Repulilican 
partj- in Iowa, being the first editor to suggest a 
State Convention, which met Feb. 22, 1856, and 
completed the organization. In the autumn of the 
same year he was a Presidential elector on the Re- 
publican ticket. 

In April, 1857, Mr. Stone was chosen Judge of 
the Eleventh Judicial District. He was elected 
Judge of the Sixth Judicial District when the new 
Constitution went into operation in 1.S58, and was 
serving on the bench when tiie American flag was 
stricken down at Fort Suintei-. At that time, 
April, 1861, he was holding court in Fairfield, 
Jefferson County, and when the news came of the 
insult to the old flag he immediately adjourned 
court and prei)ared for what he believed to be more 
important duties — duties to his country. 

In May he enlisted as a private; was made Cap- 
tain of Co. B, Third Iowa Inf., and was subse- 
quently promoted to Major. With that regiment 
he was at the battle of Blue Mill, Mo., in Septem- 
ber, 1861, where he was wounded. At Shiloh, the 
following spring, he commanded the regiment and 
was taken prisoner, By order of Jefferson Davis 



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132 



WILLIAM M. STONE. 



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he vvas paroled for the time of forty (l:iys. with 
orders to repair to Washington, and if possible 
secure an agreement for :i eartel for a general ex- 
ehange of pi'isoiiei>. and to retnru as a prisoner if 
he did not sueeeed. Failing t(; secure tliat result 
within the period specified, he returueil to Kich- 
uioud and h;id hi^ |iai'ole exleuded fifteen days; re- 
])airing again to \\'a>hington. he etfeeteil iii> imr- 
jiose and was exchanged. 

In Augu.st, If^fi'i. lie was appointed liy Gov. 
Kirkwood Colonel of the Twenty -second Iowa 
Infantry, which rendezvoused and organized at 
Camp Pope. Iowa City, the same iinmth. The 
regiment vvas occui)ied f(jr several months in guard- 
ing supply stores .-uid tile railro.ad, and escorting 
sup|ily tr.-nn> to the Army of the Sonthea.st Mis- 
souri until .Ian. 27. 18(;;3, when it received orders 
to join the ;irmy under (len. Davidson, at West 
riinus. .Mo. .Mlcr a niarcli of five days it reached 
its de>tinatiou. and was brigaded with the Twenty- 
first and Twenty-third Iowa regiments, Col. Stone 
commanding, and was designated the First Brigade, 
l'"ii>t Division, Army of Southeast .Missouri. April 
1 found Col. Stone at Miliiken's liend. La., to assist 
(irantintiie capture of ^'lcksburg. He was now 
in immediate command of his regiment, which 
irmed a part of a brigade under Col. C. L. Harris, 
of the I<;ieventh Wisconsin. In the advance upon 
Fort Gibson Col. Harris was taken sick, and Col. 
Stone was again in charge of a brigade. In the 
battle of Port Gibson the Colonel and his com- 
mand distinguished themselves, and were successful. 




The lirigade was in the reserve at ( hamiiion llilj-. 
and in active skirmish at Hlack Kiver. 

< )u the evening of May 21 { ol. Stone rcciived 
j (Jen. (iranl'> order for a gcn<M';d a»ault on the 
j enemy's lines at 10 A. .M. on the 2211. In this 
chai'ge. which w.as unsiu'ccssfnl. Col. Stone «.is 
again wounded, receiving a guu>hot in the left 
forearm. Col. .Stone commanded a i)rigade until 
the last of August, when, being oi'dered to the (!ulf 
Department, he roigned. He had beeume \ery 
popular with the peojile of Iowa. 

He was nominated in a Repidilican couNcnlinn, 
held ;it l)es Moines in .luue. ISi;;!, and w.-i.s elected 
l)y a very large majority. He was breveted Brig- 
adier-General in IsilU. during his first year a- (iov- 
ernor. He was inaugurated .Ian. II. 1 sr, f, anil w,-is 
re-elected in 186.5, his four years in ollice closing 
Jan. l(j, 18G8. His majority in 1S(;;5 was ue;irly 
30,000, and in IsO.") about 1(;..")()(). His dimiui>hed 
vote in 18lj.j was due to the fact that he was very 
strongly committed in favor of negi'o suffrage. 

Gov. .Stone made a very energetic and eflicient 
Executive. Since the expiration of his guliernatoriid 
term he has sought to cscajie the iiul)lic notice, ami 
has given his time to his private business interest-. 
He is in partnership with Hon. U. B. A>res, of 
Kuoxville. in legal iiractice. 

lie was elected to the General Assembly in ls77. 
and .served one term. 

In M.ay, 1857, he married Miss Carloaet Mathews, 
a native of Ohio, then residing in Knoxville. They 
have one sou — William A. 





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GOVERNORS OF lOAVA. 





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AMUEL MERRILL, Governor 
from 1868 to 1872, was born 
in Oxford County. Maine. 
Aug. 7. 1 822. He is a de- 
scendant on his mother's, side 
of Peter Hill, who came from 
England and settled in Maine 
in 1653. From this ancestry have 
sprung most of the Hills in Ameri- 
ca. On his father's side he is a de- 
eendant of Nathaniel Merrill, who 
came from England in l(i.")(),and lo- 
cated in Massachusetts. Nathaniel 
had a son, Daniel, who in turn had 
a son named .John, and he in turn 
Ijegat a son called Thomas. The 
latter was born Dec. 18, 1708. On the 4tli of Aug- 
ust. 1728. was born to him a son, Samuel, who was 
m.arried and had a family of twelve children, one of 
whom, Abel, was taken by his father to Bosttm in 
17."»(). Aliel was married to Elizabeth Page, who 
had five children, one of whom, Abel, Jr., was the 
father of our subject. He married Abigail Hill 
June 25, 1809, and to them were born eight chil- 
dren, Samuel being the youngest but one. At the 
age of sixteen Samuel moved with his parents to 
Buxton, Maine, the native place of his mother, 
where his time was employed in turns in teaching 
and attending school until he attained his majority. 
Having determined to make teaching a profession, 
and feeling that the .South offered better opportu- 
nities, he immediately set out for that section. He 




remained, however, Init a short time, as he saj's '■ he 
was born too far North." .Suspicion having been 
raised as to his abolition (ii'inciiiles and finding the 
element not altogether congenial, he soon abandoned 
the sunny South and went to the old Granite State, 
where the next several years were spent in farming. 
In 1847 he moved t(j Tain worth, N. H., where he 
engaged in the mercantile business in company with 
a brother, in which lie was cpiite successful. Not 
being satisfied with tlie limited resources of North- 
ern New England he determined t(» try his good 
fortune on the broad [)rairies of the feitile West. 

It was in the year 185U that Mr. Merrill turned 
his face toward the setting sun, finding a desirable 
location near McGregor, Iowa, where lie estalilislied 
a branch house of the ohl firm. The popuhition in- 
creased, as also did their trade, and their house be- 
came one of the most extensive wholesale estalilish- 
inents on the Upper Mississipi)i. During all these 
j'ears of business Mr. Merrill took an active part in 
politics. In lS54he was chosen on the alxilition 
ticket to the Legislature of New llami)siiire. The 
following year he was again returned to the Legis- 
lature, and doubtless had lie remained in that State 
would have risen still higher. Incoming to Iowa 
his experience and altility were demaiide<l by his 
neighbors, and he was here called into pulilic serv- 
ice. He was sent to the Legislatuic. and tiiough 
assembled with the most distingui>hcd men of his 
time, took a leading \Kwi in the important services 
demanded of that body. The Legislature was con- 
vened in an extra session of 1«61, to provide for 



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136 



SAMUEL MKRRILL. 






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till' exigencies of tlie Rel)elliou. and in its fleliber- 
;itiiJii> .Air. Merrill took an netive part. 

in the >iiimrier nf 18G2. Mr. Merrill wascoinmis- 
^iiiiiiil ( (iluiicl (if ilie 21st Iowa Infantry, and ini- 
iiieili;itely went tn llic tVdiit. At the time .M.'irma- 
iliikc was nienacini; the I niun forces in Misxnu'i. 
\\lii<'li called for iJidiiiiil :iclion on tlic ]i:ii't of the 
I'nion (;eueral>. ( i>l. .Merrill \v:i- |)laced in coni- 
uiand. with ilet:ichnienl> of the ■Jl.^l Iowa and ll'.ith 
lllinoi>. a [Kirtion of the •id Iowa Cavalry and two 
pieces of arlilliTv. with orders to make a forccfl 
march to Sprini;lield. he lieing at the time eighty 
miles distant. (In the morning of Jan. 11. 18G3. 
lie came acro>> a hoily of Confederates who were 
advanc-ing in hea\y force. I mme(Uate preparations 
for liattle were made liy Col. .Merrill, and after brisk- 
ly firing for an hour, the enemy fell back. Merrill 
then moved in the direction of Ilartville. wheie he 
found the enemy in force under Marmaduke, being 
aliont eight tho\isand strong, while Merrill had but 
one-tenth of that number. A hot struggle ensued 
in which the ■rwenty-ttrst distinguished itself. 'Ihe 
Confederate loss was several officers and three hun- 
di-e(l men killed and woinided, while the I'nion lo.ss 
was 'nut se\ en killed and si.xty-foiu' wounded. The 
following winter the regiment performed active 
service, taking part in the campaign of Mcksburg. 
It fought under McClei-nand at Port (iibson. and 
while making the famous charge of Black River 
Bridge. Col. .Menill was severely wounded through 
the hip. lie was laid up fnmi the 17th of May to 
,Iann:iry. when he again joined his regiment in 
Texas, anil in .lunc. IsCil, on account of suffering 
fidui his wound, resigned and returned to Me- 
(iregor. In IsCT .Mr. Merrill was chosen (iov- 
ernor of the Stati'. being elected n|)on the Repub- 
lican ticket, lie .served w itii siuh .satisfaction, that 
in IMd'.l he w;is i\'-uominated and accordingly 
elected. 

I'nder the administration of (uiv. Merrill, 
the movement foi- Ilu' erection of the new State 
House was inanguiat( il. The Thirteenth (Jeneial 
Assembly pro\i(Ied I'm- tlic building at a cost of 
$1, ;')()(). 000, and made an apprc^piiation with uhich 
to begin the work of xI.'iO.ikki. \\\\\\ this >nm the 
work was begun, and No\. •_'."i. ls7l. the i-orner 
Stone was laid in the presence of citizens fiom all 



parts f>f the State. On this occasion the trovernor : 
delivered the address. It was an historical view of 5 
the incidents culminating in the labors of the d.ay. E 
It, was rei)lete with historical facts, .showed patient : 
research, was logical and argumentative, and at times : 
eloiiuent with the fire and genius of .\merican pa- : 
triotisni. ft i> a paper worthy of the occasion. ; 
.•ind does justice to the head and heart that con- 
ceived it. 

IJuring the guljcrnatorial career of (rov. .Mer- 
rill, extending through two terms, " from .lanu- 
ar}'. l)S().s, to .lanuary. 1M72. he was actively en- 
gaged in the discharge of his oftieial duties, and 
probably no incumbent of that office ever devoted 
himself more earnestly to the public good, stand- 
ing by the side of Gov. Fairchild, of Wisconsin. 
The two were instrumental in placing the slack- 
water navigation between the Mississippi and the 
Lakes in the waj' of ultimate and certain success. 
The (Governor treated this subject to great length 
and with marked ability in his message to the Thir- 
teenth (4eiieral Assembly, and so earnest was he in 
behalf of this improvement, that he again discussed 
it in his message to the Fourteenth General Assem- 
bly. In the instigation of the work the Governors 
of the different States interested, called conventions, 
and through the deliberations of these assemblies 
the aid of the General Government was secureil. 

j Samuel Merrill was first married to Catherine 
Th(mias, who died in 1847, fourteen months after 
their marriage. In January, liSr)l,he was iniited 
in marriage with a Miss Hill, of Buxton, Maine. 

I She becanie the mother of four children, three of 

1 whom died young, the eldest living to be onl}' two 
and a half years old. 

After the expiration of his public service he re- 
turned to IMctiregor, but shortly afterward removed 
to Des Moines, where he is now residing, and is 
President of the Citizens' National Bank. 

Thus bricfiy have been pointed out the leading 
fcatini-- in the life of one of Iowa's most i)i-omi- 
ncnl citizens, and one who has made an honorable 
record both in public [lositions and (irivate enter- 
[iiiscs. lie is highly esteemed in the city where he 
resides and is regarded as one of tin- faithful rep- 
resentatives of tlie sous of New England. In stat- 

j ure he is fully six feet high anil finely proportioned. 



W. 




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' YRUS CLAY CARPENTER, 

[[ Governor of Iowa fvom 1872 
to 1875, inclusive, was born 
in Susquehanna County, Pa., 
Nov. 24, 1829. He was left 
an orphan at an early age, his 
mother dying when he was at 
the age of ten years, and his father two 
years later. He was left in destitute 
circumstances, and went first to learn 
ft^W ag the trade of a clothier, which, however, 
'he abandoned after a few months, and 
engaged with a farmer, giving a term 
in the winter, however, to attendance 
upon the district school. Wlien eighteen 
lie began teaching school, and the fol- 
lowing four j'ears divided his time between teach- 
ing and attending the acadeni}' at Hartford. At 
the conclusion of this period he went to Ohio, 
where he engaged as a teacher for a year and a 
half, spending the summer at farm work. 

In the year 1854 Mr. Carpenter came further 
westward, visiting many points in Illinois and 
Iowa, arriving at Des Moines, then a village of 
some 1,200 inhabitants. This place, however, not 
offering a favorable location, he proceeded on his 
journej', arriving in Fort Dodge June 28, 1854. 
Owing to his being without funds he was compelled 
to travel on foot, in which way the journey to Fort 
Dodge was made, with his entire worldly posses- 
sions in a carpet-sack which he caiTied in his hand. 
He soon found employment at Fort Dodge, as as- 
sistant to a Government survej'or. This work be- 



ing completed, young Carpenter assisted his land- 
lord in cutting iiay, but soon secured another 
position as a surve^-ur's assistant. In the early 
part of the following January- he engaged in teach- 
ing school at Fort Dodge, but in the spring was 
employed to take charge of a set of surveyors in 
surveying the counties of Emmet and Kossuth. 

On his return to Fort Dodge he f<jund the land- 
office, which had been established at that place, 
was about to open for the sale of land. Being 
familiar with the country and the location of the 
best land, he opened a private land-office, and 
found constant and jjrofitable employment for the 
following three years, in platting and surveying 
lands for those seeking homes. During this period 
he became extensively known, and, being an active 
Republican, he was chosen as a standard-bearer for 
his section of the State. He was elected to the 
Legislature in the autumn of 1857. In 18G1, on 
the breaking out of the Rebellion, he volunteered 
and was assigned to duty as Commissary of Sub- 
sistence, much of the time being Chief Commissar3- 
of the left wing of the 16th Army Corps. In 1864 
he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and assigned 
t(j duty on the staff of Gen. Logan, as Chief Com- 
missary of the loth Army Corps. He continued in 
the service until the close of the war. and in 
August, 18G5, was mustered out. 

Upon the close of his service to his country he 
returned to his home at Fort Dodge, but, owing to 
so many changes which had taken place, and such 
an influx of enterprising men into the city, he 
found his once prosperous business in the hands of 



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I 10 



CYRUS CLAY CARPKXTER. 




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iitliiTS. lie tiiiiH'il liis iittcntiun to the iiii|iiuv('- 
iiifiit of :i pitMT (if l;iii<l, where he lemaiiied until 
hi.s eh'cticpii, ill tlic Miituiini of 18CG, a.-< Reg'isster of 
the St.ilr l,.inil-()lli<e, I le w!is rc-clecteil ill IS^GS, 
:iii(l refu.-ed Die iioiiiiiiMtiou ill 1X70. This position 
tookhini to l)es Moines, liut iu 1870 he returned 
to I''ort Doiliii'. l)urin<f the summer of the follow- 
ing 3e:ir he w:is nominated liy the Re|)ul)lic:in party 
for Governor. He was electeil, and inaugurated as 
Cliief Executive of Iowa Jan. 11, is7i'. In 1873 
lie was renominated by his party, and October 14 
of that year was re-elected, his inauguration taking 
lil.ice .Tan. 27, ls7-l. Gov. Carpenter was an able, 
popular and faithful Executive, and was regarded 
.IS one of the most honest, prominent and unselfish 
ollicials the State ever had. Phiiii, unassuming, 
modest, he won his pulilic ])osition more through 
the enthusia.vm of his friends than by any personal 
eftoit or desire of his own. Everywhere, at all 
times and upon all occasions, he demonstrated that 
the conlidQuce of his friends was justified. He took 

T:-!' ail active iiart in the great (piestion of monopolies 
.•iiid traii.-portation evils, whicii during his adminis- 

T Ir.itioii were so prominent, d(jing much to secure 

H wise legi.slatioii in these respects. 

rajl Gov. C arpeiiter has been regarded as a public 

!||| speaker of more than ordinary ability, and has 
upon iiKiiiv occasions been the orat(_)r, and ahvay> 
ji appreciated by the people. 

At the exi)iration of his second term as Governor 
Mr. ( ar|)ciiter was appointed Second Comptroller 
of the United States Treasury, which position he 
rc,~inued after a service of fifteen months. This 
step was ail evidence of liis unselfishness, as it was 
taken because another Bureau officer was to be dis- 
missed, as it was held that Iowa had more heads of 
iliiri'aiis than she was entitled to, and his resigning 
an ollice of the higher grade saved the itositicm to 
another. In 1''^''<1 he was elected to Congre.ss, and 
.served with ability, and iu the Tweiilictli General 
W Assembly of Iowa lie represente<l Webster County. 
Gov. Carpenter was married, in ^[arcli, 1804, to 
Miss Su>aii nurlvliolder, of Fort Dodge. No chil- 
dren have lieeii born to them, but, ihcy have re.-ired 
a niece of Mrs. Carpenter's. 

During his entire life Mr. Carpenter has been de- 
voted to the princiiiles of Ueform and the best 





interests of all clas.ses of citizens who, by adoption 
or by birth-right, are entitled to a home upon our 
soil and the protection of our laws, under the gi-eat 
charter of ■• Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Hap- 
piness." In an addre.ss in.l8o2 he took advanced 
views upon the leading subjects of public interest, 
lie had already laid the foundation for that love of 
freedom which afterwards found an anijile field of 
labor with the Republican party. There was noth- 
ing chimerical in his views. He looked at cverj' 
strata of human society, and, from the wants of the 
masses, wisely devined duty and prophesied destiny. 
He would have the people of a free Republic edu- 
cated in the spirit of the civilization of the age. 
Instead (>f cultivating a tiiste fi .■ a species of liter- 
.ature tending directly to degrade the mind and 
dejjrave the heart, thereby leading back to a state 
of superstition and consequent barbarism, he would 
cultivate principles of temperance, industry and 
economy in every j-outhful mind, as the indispens- 
able iugTedients of good citizens, or subjects upon 
whose banner will lie inscribed ].,iberty, Eipi.alitj', 
Fraternity. 

Thus earlj' in life i\Ir. Carpenter saw the destined 
tendency of oin- American institutions, and the ad- 
vancing civilization of the age. He saw it in the 
peace congress, whose deliberations have made the 
Rhine thrice immortal. He saw it in the [irospect- 
ive railway, which he believed woukl one day 
unite the shores of the Atlantic with those of the 
Pacific — a fact realized b}' the construction of the 
great continent;d railwaj'. 

It was thus early that he began to .study the 
wants of the world, and with what clearness and 
directness maj' be seen by the correctness of his 
vision and the accomplishment of what he consid- 
ered ail inevit.able. necessity. 

Thus, growing up into manhood, and passing on- 
ward in the rugged pathway of time, disci|ilined in 
political economj' and civil ethics in the stern 
.school of experience, he was jirejjared to meet every 
emergency with a steady hand; to bring order out 
of discord, and insure harmony and prosperit}'. 

(iov. Carpenter is now engaged in the quiet pur- 
suits of farm life, residing at Fort Dodge, where 
he is highly esteeme(l as one of her purest minded 
and most upright citizens. 



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OSHUA G. NEWBOLD, the 
ninth Governor of Iowa, is 
n native of Pennsylvania, 
lie conies from tliat excellent 
stock known as the Friends, 
who very early settled in 
New Jersey. .loshna G. is the 
son of Barzilla and Catherine 
(House) Newbold, and was born 
in F.ij-ette C'onnty, May 12, 
l.s;50. He was born a farmer's 
boy and was reared in the vigor- 
ous employment of farm work. 
When he was eight years of age the 
faniil)- moved to Westmoreland 
County, Fa., where, in the common 
schools and in a select school or academy, young 
Xewbold received his education. When sixteen 
years of age he accompanied the family on their re- 
turn to Fayette County. Here for the following- 
eight years he assisted his father in running a flour- 
ing-mill as well as devoting much of his time to 
teaching school. When about nineteen years of 
age our suliject began the study of medicine, de- 
voting much of his time while teaching to his med- 
ical books. He, however, abandoned the idea of 
becoming a physician and turned his attention to 
different walks in life. 

In the month of March, 1854, Mr. Newbold re- 
moved to Iowa, locating on a farm, now partly in 
the corporation of Mount Pleasant, Henry County. 



At the end of one year he removed to Cedar 
Township, Van Buren County, there merchandising 
and farming till about 1860, when he removed to 
Ilillsboro, Henry County, and pursued the same 
callings. 

In 1802, when the call was made for 600,000 men 
to finish the work of crushing the Rebellion, Mr. 
Newbold left his farm in the hands of his family 
and his store in charge of his partner, and went into 
the army as Captain of Company C, 25th Regiment 
of Iowa Infantry. He served nearly three years, 
resigning just before the war closed, on account of 
disability. During the last two or three months he 
served at the South he filled the position of Judge 
Advocate, with headquarters at Woodville, Ala. 

His regiment was one of those that made Iowa 
troops famous. It arrived at Helena, Ark., in 
November, 1862, and sailed in December following 
on the expedition against Vicksburg by way of 
Chickasaw Bayou. At the latter place was its first 
engagement. Its second was at Arkansas Post, and 
there it suffered severely, losing in killed and 
wounded more than sixty. 

After Loolvout Mountain it joined in the pursuit 
of Bragg's flying forces to Ringgold, where it en- 
gaged the enemy in their strong works, November 
27, losing twenty-nine wounded. The following 
year it joined Sherman in his Atlanta Campaign, 
then on the famous march to the sea and through 
the Carolinas. 

On returning to Iowa he continaed in the mer- 



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144 



JOSHUA G. NEAVBOLD. 



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cantile trade at Ilillsboro for tliroo or four years, 
and then sold out, giving thereafter his whole at- 
tention to agriculture, stock-raising and stock-deal- 
ing, making the stt)ck department an important 
factor in his l)Usiness for several years. Mr. New- 
bold was a nienil)er of the 13th, 14th and' loth Gen- 
eral Assemblies, representing Henry County, and 
was Chairman of the School Committee in the 14th, 
and of the committee on apjiropriations in the 15th 
General Asseml)ly. In the 15th (1874) he was tem- 
porary Speaker during the deadlock in organizing 
the House. In 1875 he was elected Lieutenant 
(T(nernor on the Repidilican ticket with Samuel .1. 
Kirkwood. 

His Democratic competitor was E. D. Woodward, 
who received 93,0fi0 votes. Mr. Newbold received 
134,1 <)<i, or a majority of 31,106. Governor Kirk- 
wood being elected United States Senator during 
that session, Mr. Newbold became Governor, taking 
the chair Feb. 1, 1877, and vacating it for Gov. 
Gear in January, 1878. 

Gov. Newbold's message to the Legislature 
in 1878, shows jjainstakiug care and a clear, busi- 
ness-like view of the interests of the State. His 
I'ecommendatioiis were carefully considered and 
largely adojjted. The State's finances were then in 
a less creditable condition than ever before or 
since, as there was an increasing floating debt, then 
amounting to *340,><2(;.5(;, more than §90,000 in 
excess of the Constitutional limitation. Said Gov. 
Newliold in his message : " The commonwealth 
ought not to set an example of dilatoriness 
in meeting its obligations. Of all forms of indebt- 
edness, that of a floating character is the most ob- 
jectionable. The uncertainty as to its amount will 



invarialily enter into any computation made by jx-r- 
sons contracting with the State for supplies, niati r- 
ial or labor. To remove the present dillicult\-. aiid 
to avert its recurrence, I look upon as the most im- 
portant work that will demand yf>ur attention." 

One of the greatest problems before statesmen is 
that of equal and just taxation. The following 
recommendation shows that Gov. Newbold was 
abreast with foremost thinkers, for it jirojioses a 
stej) which yearly linds more favor with llic people: 
"The inequalities of the personal-property valu- 
ations of the several counties suggest to my min<l 
the propriety of so adjusting the State's levy as to 
require the counties to pay into the State ti-easiu-y 
only the tax on realty, leaving the corresponding 
tax on personalty in the county treasury. This 
would rest with each county the a<ljustment of its 
own personal propertj' valuations, without fear that 
they might be so high as to work injustice to itself 
in comparison with other counties." 

(tov. Newbt)ld has always affiliated with the 
Republican party, and holds to its great cardinal 
doctrines, having once embraced them, with the 
same sincerity and honesty that he cherishes his re- 
ligious sentiments. He has been a Chiistian for 
something like twenty-five years, his coiniection be- 
ing with the Free-Will Baptist Church. He found 
his wife, Rachel Farquhar. in Fayette Count}', Pa., 
their union taking jjlace on the 2d of May. 1850. 
They have had five children and lost two. The 
names of the living are Mary Allene, Emma 
Irene and tieorge C. 

The Governor is not yet an old man. and may 
serve his State or countj' in other capacities in the 
coming years. 



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GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



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OHN n. GEAR, the teiitli 
gentleman to occiipj' the 
Executive Chair of Iowa, is 
still a lesideut of Biirliiigton. 
He is a native of the Empire 
State, where in the city of 
Ithica, April 7, I y2.j, he was born. 
Rev. E. (i. Geai, his father, was 
born in New London, C'oini., in 
17il2, and ))ecame a distinguished 
clergyman of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church. His family had 
removed with him, while he was 
still joung, to Pittsfleld, Mass., and 
in the J' ear 181G, after his ordina- 
tion as a clerg3'man of the Episco- 
pal Church, he went to New York 
and located at Onondaga Hill near 
.ff] the city of S3'racuse. Shortly after 
this settlement, the young minister 
was united in marriage with Miss 
Miranda PL Cook. After serving- 
various congregations in Western 
New York for many j'ears, he de- 
termined to become a pioneer in 
Northern Illinois, which at the time, in the year 
183(j, was lieing rapidly settled up. He found a 
desirable location at fialena where he remained un- 
til 1838, when he received the appointment as 
Chaplain in the United Stiites army while located 
■it Flirt Snelling, JNIinn. He lived a long and act- 
i \ e life, doing much good, quitting his labors in 



the year 1874, at the advanced age of ' eighty-two 
years. 

The only son born to Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Gear 
was J. H., afterward the distingnished Governor of 
Iowa. As above stated the birth occurred in ] 82.5. 
In 1843, when still a young man, he came AYest to 
Burlington, where he has since continued to reside, 
her most distinguished citizen. Shortly after his 
arrival in the j'oung city, he embarked in his mer- 
cantile career, engaging at the time with the firm 
of Bridgman & Bros., in the capacity of a clerk. 
Remaining with this firm for a little over a year, 
he left them for an engagement with AY. F. Cool- 
Ijaugh, who at one time was President of the 
Fniijn NiUional Bank, of Chicago, and who at that 
early period was the leading mercha^nt of Eastern 
Iowa. He served Mr. Coolbaugh so faithfully, and 
with such marked ability for the following five 
years, that, when desirous of a partner in his busi- 
ness, the wealthy merchant could find no one in 
whom he could place greater confidence and with 
whom he could trust his extensive business rela- 
tions that pleased him better than the 3'oung clerk. 
Accordingly he was associated as a partner under 
the firm name of W. F. Coolbaugh & Co. Under 
this arrangement the firm did a prosperous busi- 
ness for the following five years, when Mr. Gear 
purchased the entire business, which he carried on 
with marked success until he became known as the 
oldest wholesale grocer in the St.ate. He is at present, 
besides filling other i)re)minent business relations. 
President of the Rolling Mill Co., of Galesburg. 




m 

Bill 




148 



JOHN H. GEAR. 



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Mv.Gear has been honored by his fellow-citizens 
with ijKiii}- positions of trust. In 1852 he was 
elected Alderniiin; in IMOS was elected Maj'or 
over A. W. Carpenter, being the first Republican 
up to tliat time who had been elected in Burlington 
on a party issue In ISC? the Burlington, Cedar 
Uapiils iV- Minnesota Railroad Company was organ- 
ized, and he was chosen as its President. His ef- 
forts highly coutributed to the success of the enter- 
prise, which did much for Burlington. He was 
also active in promoting the Burlington & South- 
western Railway, as well as the Burlington & North- 
ia^ western narrow-gauge road. 

B He lias always acted with tiic Republican party, 
y and in Im71 was noniinaled and elected a member 
y of the House of Representatives of the 14th 
U General Assembly. In 187;i he was elected to the 
ly loth (General As,-eml)ly. The Republican cau- 
k cus of the House nominated him for Speaker by 
^ acclamation, and after a contest of two weeks he 
wa.s chosen over his opixjiient, J. W. Dixon. He 
filled the [losition of Speaker very acceptably, and 
at the close of the session all the members of the 
House, inde[(en(lent of party affiliations, joined in 
signing their names t(ja resolution of thanks, which 
was engraved :ni<l jiresented to him. In 187.5 he 
was the third time nominated to the Assembly by 
the Republican [)arty. and while his countj" gave a 
large Democratic vote he was .again elected. He 
was also again nominated for Speaker by the Re- 
publican caucus, and was elected l).y a handsome 
majority over his competitor, lion, .lohn Y. Stone. 
He is the <mly man in the State who ever had the 
honor of being chosen to this high position a sec- 
ond time. He enjoys the reputation of being an 
able ])arliamentarian, his rulings never having been 
! appealed from. At the close of the session he 
again received the imanimous thanks of the House 
of Representatives for his courtesy and imjjartiality, 
and for the able and satisfactory manner in which 
he had presided over that l)ody. 

In 1H77 he was nominated for Governor by the 
Republican convention which met at Des Moines, 
June 2S. and at the election held the following 

inst 79, .353 

ssup and 38,- 

'2?,o for D. P. Stubbs. His plurality over Irish 



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1^ October he received 121, .')4(') votes, agair 
ji for John P. Irish, 10,039 for Klias Jessuj 



was 42,193. He was inaugurated Jan. 17, 1878, 
and served four years, being re-elected in 1879 by 
the following handsome vote: Gear. 157..i71: 
Trimble, 85,056; Campltell, 45,439; Dungan, 3,25si; 
Gear's majority over all competitors, 23,828. His 
second inauguration occurred in Januarj' of the 
year 1880. 

Gov. Gear's business habits enabled him to di.*- 
chargc the duties of his ofliee with marked al)ility. 
He found the financial condition of the State at a 
low ebb, but raised Iowa's credit to that of the 
best of our States. In his last biennial message lie 
was able U> report: "The warrants out-standing. 
))ut not beai-ing interest, Sept. 30, 1881, amounted 
to ^22,093.74, and there are now in the treasury 
simple funds to meet the current expenses of the 
State. The war and defense debt h.as been paid, 
except the warrants for $125,000 negotiated by the 
Executive, Auditor and Treasurer, under the law 
of the 18th General Assembly, and 1:2,500 of 
the original bonds not yet jiresented for p.aj'- 
ment. The only other debt owing by the .State 
amounts to $245,435.19, due to the permanent 
school fund, a jwrtion of which is made irredeem- 
able by the Constitution. These facts place Iowa 
practically among the States which have no debt, 
a consideration which must add much to her repu- 
tation. The expenses of the State for the last two 
years are less than those of any other jieriod since 
1869, .and this notwithstanding the f.act that the 
State is to-day su.'^taining several institutions not 
then in existence; namely, the hospital at Inde- 
|iendence, the .additional penitentiary, the Normal 
School and the asylum for the feeble-minded chil- 
dren, besides the girl's department of the reform 
school. The State also, at present, m.akes provision 
for fish culture, for a useful weather service, for 
sanitary supervision by a Board of Health, for en- 
couraging immigi'.ation to the State, for the inspec- 
tion of coal mines by a State Inspector, and liber- 
ally for the military arm of the Government." 

Gov. Gear is now in the sixty-first ye.ar of his 
age, and is in the full vigor of both his mental and 
physical faculties. He was married in 1852 to 
Harriet S. Foot, formerly of the town of Middle- 
bury, \'ermout, by whom he has had four children, 
two of whom are living. 







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i-NF; of the most distinguished 
gentlemen who was ever 
honored with the position 
of Chief Executive of the 
State is Buren R. Sherman, 
the eleven til Governor of 
Iowa, who is a native of New York. 
It was in the town of Phelps, in On- 
tario County, that he was born to his 
parents, Phineas L. and Eveline 
(Robinson) Sherman, on the "iHth of 
INIay, 1836, and was the third son of 
a distinguished family of children. 
His parents wei-e likewise natives of I 
the Empire State. Buren R. attended tlie public 
schools of his neighborhood, but was suliscquently 
given advantages of the schools at Almira, N. Y.. 
where he acquired a very thorough knowledge of 
the English branches. His father, who was a me- 
chanic, advised him at the close of his studies to 
apprentice himself to learn S(mie trade. He ac- 
cordinglj- made such arrangements with 8. Ayers, of 
Almira, to learn the trade of a watchmaker. In 
1855, however, he left this position and joined his 
family on their removal to the the)) new State of 
Iowa. They settled upon a piece of unbj-nken ]>i'ai- 
r'\r land on what is now Geneseo To^mship, Ta)na 



C'oimty, his father having previously purchased 
land from the Government. Here Buren R. labored 
diligently in developing his fatl)er's fields, devoting, 
however, leisure hours which he was gra))ted, to the 
study of law. ■ Before leaving his Eastern home he 
l)ad decided upon that pi'ofession and bega)) its 
study while yet in Al]ni)'a. He soon secured a po- 
sition as a book-keeper in a, neighboring town, and 
with the wages earned thoe, materially assisted his 
father i)i the development of their home farm. In 
the meantime he had applied himself diligently to 
the study of his books, and so studious had he 
been that in the summer of 1«.')0, he was enabled 
to pass a creditable examination and to l>e admitted 
to the bar. The following spring the yi>u))g attor- 
ney moved to Mnton, hung out his shingle and be- 
gan the practice of his profession. He was associated 
with Hon. William Smyth, for]ne]-ly District Judge, 
and J. C. Traer, under the fir))) name of Smyth, 
Traer & Sherman. The new firm rapidly grew into 
prominence, buildi]ig tip a ])r()speiv)us pi-actice, 
when Mr. Sherman willxh-ew to tender his services 
to the Government iii defense of l)ci- integrity and 
hon< )r. 

It was early in l)S(iI, di]'cctly after the encn)y had 
assaulted the American fl.ag on Sumter, that the 
V(.un<i- attorney enlisted i)i Co. (;. 1 .Ith lo'w.a "\'ol. 



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BFREN R. SIIEIOIAN. 



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Inf.. .iiid iiniiiiHliately went to the front. He 
entercfl tlie service as .Second .Sergeant, and in 
Feliiuai'V. 1X'>2. was made Second Liciitcn.'int of 
Company K. On the lith of April folldwini^ he was 
vciT severcl\ wiiuihUmI at the h.-iltic of Pittsburgh 
Landing, and uhilc in the liospital was promoted ti> 
the ninii of Captaii]. lie retnnied to his cumpany 
while \ct iiliiiiicd to u.-e hi> crntclie>. and rcni.-uneil 
on ilnty till tlu' siinimev of ls(j;j, when, by reason of 
hi.s wound, he was compelleil t<i resign and return 
home. .Soon after returning from the army lie was 
elected County .ludge of Benton County, and re- 
elected without opposition in ist;.'). In the autumn 
of IhiGtJ he resigned his judgeshiii and accepted the 
W^\ otlici' of Clerk of the District Court, to which he 
^^' was re-elected in 18G><, 187(1 and 1872, and in 
Decemlier. 1 « 7 I. resigned in order to accept the 
ollice of Auditor of State, to whit-h oflice he had 
been elected liy a majority of ■i.s,42.j oxer J. ]\I. 
King, the ••anti-monopoly" candidate. In l.s7(ihe 
was renominated and received .')(), 272 more \otes 
than W. (Jrowneweg (Democrat) and Leonard 
Hrowne ((heenliack) together. In ls7.s he was 
J again ch(_>sen to represent the Kepulilican party 
ij in that oHice, and this time received a major- 
j itv of 7,1(14 over the comi)ined votes of Col. 



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Eiboeck (Democrat) and G. V. Swearenger ((Jreen- 

liack). In the six years that he held this otlice. he 

jp^jil was untiring in his faithful applicatiim to routine 

work and devotion to his .special share of the State's 

business. He retired with such an enviable i^ecord 

i] that it was with no surprise the people learned. 

I June 27, 1881, that he was the nominee of the l{e- 

1 publican party for Governor. 

i The campaign was an exciting one. 'rhe(;eneral 
i Assembly had submitted to the peoi)le the [jroliilii- 

J tory amendment to the Constitution. This, while 

U M not a partisan question, became uppermost ii. the 
'■ Ujlmind of the public. Mr. Sherman received I'M,- 
;l 330 votes, against 8;!. 244 t\)r Kinne and 28,1 12 for 
-_^_ ., D. M. Clark, oi' a i)luralitv of .")(). (isd and :i inaior- 
ilHff it}- of 21.1)74. In 1883 he was re-nonuuated b^- 
the Republicans, as well as L. G. Kinne by the 
Democrats. 'I'he Xatiouid party offered .1. IS. 
Weaver. During the campaign these candidates 
held a number of .ioint discussions at different 
points in the State. At the election the vote was: 





.Sherman. 1(54,182; Kimie. 13:».()!)3: Weaver. 23.- 
081); Sherman's plurality, 2u,089 ; niajoritj'. 2,000. 
In his second inaugural Gov. Sherman .said: 

" In assuming, for the second time, the otlice of 
Chief Magistrate for the State. I fully ivali/.e my 
urateful oliligjitions to the |)eople of Iowa, through 
whose generous confidence I am here. I ;im aware 
of the dntio and i;rave responsibilities of this ex- 
alted position, and as well what is expected of me 
therein. As in the pa.<t I have given my undivided 
time anil -erions attention thereto, .so in the futin-c | 
I |)roniise the most earnest devotion ami untiring I 
effort in the faithful performance of my otliciid re- : 
(piiremcuts. I have seen the .State grow frcnu in- 
fancy to mature manhood, and each year one of j 
substantial bettei'nu'ut of its previous i)osition. j 

•• With more r;ulroads than any State. sav<' two; 
with a .school interest the grandest and strongest, 
which commanils the support and confidence of all 

the I pic, and a population, which in its entirety 

is su|)erior to any other in the sisterhood, it is 
not strange the |)ridc which attaches to our |)eople. 
When we remendicr tli;it the rcsidts of onr etforts in 
the direction of ii<iod government have lieeii 
crowned with such magnilicent success, .■uul to-day 
we have a State in most perfect ]ihysicnl :ind linaii- 
cial condition, no wonder our hearts swell in hmu'st 
pride as we contemplate the i)ast and so conlidently 
hope for tlu' future. A\'hat we may become ile- 
l)ends on our own efforts, and to that future 1 look 
with earnest and abiding confidence." 

(iov. .Sherman's term of t)ffiee continued until. l;ui. 
14, 188(), when he was succeeded by William Larra- 
bee, and he is now, tenijiorarily. perhaps, enjoyini; 
.•I well-eai-ncd I'est. lb' h;is liccn :! K'cpulilican since 
the org.-uiization of that i)arty. and his .services as a 
c;imp;dgn spi'aker have been for many years in 
areat demand. As an oflicer he h;i< been .•d)le to 
make an en\ialiU' lecord. Himself honorable and 
thorouiih, his managenu'iit of public business ha> 
been of the sanu' character, and such as has coni- 
mended him to the approval of his feilow-citi/.ens. 

He w.as married. Au.u'. 20. 1 8(12. to Mi.-> Lena 
Kendall, of ^'intou. Iowa, a young lady of r;u-e ac- 
coiiiplishmeuts and strength of character. Their 
anion has been hapjiy in every respect. They have 
two children— Leii;i Kendall and Oscar Kugeiie. 







Ihdjlcis^ 





ILLIAM LARRABEE, the 

present able Governor of 
Iowa, and tlie twelfth gen- 
tleman selected by the 
people as the Chief JMagis- 
trate of the great Com- 
monwealth, is a native . of 
Connecticut. His ancestors 
were among the French Huguenots who 
came to America earlj' in the seventeenth 
century and located in Connecticut. At 
that time they bore the name of d'Larra- 
)ee. Adam Larrabee, the father of Will- 
iam, was born March 14, 17S7, and was 
one of the early graduates of the West 
Point Military Academy. He served his 
country during the War of 181 "2, with distinction, 
holding the position of Second Lieutenant, to which 
he was commissioned JIarch 1, 1811. He was pro- 
moted to the Captaincy of his compan}- Feb. 1, 
1814, and on the 30th of the following March, at 
the battle of Lacole Mills, during Gen. Wilkinson's 
campaign on the Saint Lawrence River, he was 
severelj'^ wounded in the lung. He eventually re- 
covered from the injur^r and was united in mar- 
ri.ige to Hannah (J. Lester. This much esteemed 
lady w.as l)orn .lune '^. 1 798, and died on the 1 .')th of 
March. 1837. Capt. Larrabee lived to an ad- 
vanced age, dying in 1869, at the age of eighty- 
two years. 

As above mentioned, AVilliam, our subject, was 



1)orn in Connecticut, the town of Ledyard being 
the place of his birth an<l .Ian. 20, I.s.Sl', the date. 
He was the seventii child in a family of nine chil- 
dren, ami passed the early years i>f his life upon a 
rugged New England farm, enjojing very meager 
educational advantages. He attended, during the 
winter seasons, the neighlioring district schools 
until he reached the age of nineteen years, when, 
during the following two winters, he filled the posi- 
tion of scho<jlmaster. He was amliitious to do 
something in life for himself that would bring fort- 
une and distinction, but in making his jjlans for the 
future he was embarrassed 1)3- a misfortune which 
befell him when fourteen ye.ars of age. In l>eing 
trained to the use of firearms under liis father's 
direction, an accidental discharge resulted in the 
loss of the sight in the right eye. This conse- 
quently unfitted him for many employments usually 
sought by amliitious j'oung men. The family 
lived near the seashore, only two miles away, and 
in that neighborhood it w.as the custom for at least 
one son In each family to go upon the sea as a 
sailor. The two eldest brothers of our subject had 
chosen this occupation while the thinl remained in 
charge of the home farm. William was thus left 
free to chose f<)r himself and, like many of the 
youths of that d.ay, he wisely turned hi>face West- 
ward. The year 18.53 found him on tliis journey 
toward the setting sun, stopping only when he 
came to the broad and fertile prairies of tlic new 
State of lywa. He first joined his elder ^ister. Airs. 



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WILLIAM LARRABEE. 




K. H. Williams, who was at that time living at 
Garnavilld, t Inytim County. It was this circum- 
stance whlih led the young l)oy from Connecticut 
to select his future home in the northeastern por- 
tion of Iowa. He resunie<l Ills occupation as a 
pedagogue, teaching, however, hut one winter, 
which was passed at Hardin. The following three 
years he was emioloyed in tlie capacity of foreman 
on the (irand ^lejuhiw faiiii of his hrotlier-in-law, 
.(udge Williams. 

In 1H,')7 he l)ought a one-third interest in the 
Clermont Mill>, and located at Clermont, Fayette 
Couiitv. lie .soon was able to bu3' the othei- two- 
thiid>. .-uid within a year found himself sole owner. 
He operatiMl this null until l.sTlwhen he sohl to 
S. M. Leach. On llie breaking out of the war he 
offered to enlist, but was rejected on account of 
the lo,ss of his right eye. Being informed he might 
possibly be admitted as a commissioned officer, he 
rai.sed a ccuipany and received a commission as 
First LicutiMiant. but was again rejected for the 
same disaliility. 

Afti-i- xlling the mill Mr. Larrabee devoted him- 
self to faiining, and started a ]>riv.ate bank at Cler- 
mont. He also, exi)eriinentally, started a large 
nursery, liut this resulted only in confirming the 
belief tint Xorthern Iowa has too rigorous a cli- 
mate for fruit-raising. 

.Mr. LnrvMbfc did iK>t begin his political career 
until l.sdT. He was reared as a Whig and became 
a liepnblican on the organization of that party. 
Wliile interested in politics he generally refused 
local offices, sciving only as Treasurer of the 
^l■hool Board prior to 1«(;7. In the autumn of 
that year, on the Republican ticket, he was elected 
to represent his county in the State Senate. To 
this high position he was re-elected from time to 
time, .so that he .served a,s Senator continuously foi- 
eighteen years before being promoted to the high- 
est office in the State. He was so popular at home 
tliat he was generally re-nominated by acclamation, 
and for some years the Democrats did not even 



make nominations. During the whole eighteen 
years Senator Larrabee was a member of the prin- 
cijial committee, that on Ways and Means, of which 
he was generally Chairman, and was also a mendier 
ot other committees. In the pursuit of the duties 
thus devolving upon him. he was indefatigalilc 
It is said that he never missed a committee mcii 
ing. Not ahine in this, but in private and i)ublii 
business of all kinds, his uniform h.abit is that oi 
close aijplication to work. Many of the iniijortsint 
measures passed by the Legislature owe their ex 
istence or present form to him. 

He was a candidate for the gubernatorial nouiiiui- 
tion in I8,si, but entered the contest too late, a> 
(iov. Sherman's following had been successfully 
, organized. In 1 ><H5 it was generally conceded be- 
fore the meeting of the convention that he would 
be nominated, which he was, and his election fol- 
lowed as a matter of course. He was inaugurated 
Jan. 1 4, 1 HM, and so far has made an excellent 
(iovernor. His position in regard to the licpior 
(juestion, that on which political fortunes are made 
and lo.st in Iowa, is that the majority shoidd rule. 
He was i)ersonally in favor of high license, but 
having been elected Governor, and sworn to up- 
hold the Constitution and execute the laws, he |iro- 
poscs to do so. 

A Senator who sat beside him in the Senate de- 
clares him to be '' a man of the broadest compre- 
hension and information, an extraordinarily clear 
reasoner, fair and conscientious in his conclusions, 
and of Spartan firmness in his matured judgment," 
and says that '• he brings the practical facts and 
philosophy of human nature, the science and his- 
tory of law, to aid in his decisions, and adheres with 
the earnestness of Jefferson and Sumner to the 
fundamental principles of the people's rights." 

Gov. Larrabee was married Sept. 1 2, 1 86 1 , at Cler- 
mont, to Anna M. Appehnan, daughter of Capt. 
(J. A. Ai)i)elman. Gov. Larrabee h.as seven chil- 
dren — Charles, Augusta, Julia, Anna, William, 
Frederic and Helen. 



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;HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate the iiumes of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment ot the age 
and the duly that men of the pres- 
ent lime owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
people who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their jirime entered 
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
maining who can relate the incidents of the first days 
of settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for tlie collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be t'orgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their best works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
The pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements 
The erection of tlie great obelisks were for tl'.e same 
purpose. CiMuing down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks ami Romans erecting m;iusoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-bu'lders, in piling 
up their g'eat mounds of earth, had but this idea — - 
to leave so ncthing to show th.it they iiad lived. All 
tiiese works, though many ol them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses ot 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of c.uriosity ; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetu.iting 
a full history — immutable in that it is atmo-^t un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action ; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical mai> is left. The monument which his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to hii memory in the ceme- 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone: to do this we are asliamed only to 
publish to the world the history of those whose lives 
are unworthy of public re<"ord. 



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A. RUSSKLL. Hon. Robert 
A. Russell, a piouiineut and 
highly respected resident of 
Ft. Madison, is a native of 
Blount County, Tenn., born 
Dec. 12, 1S();3. The family 
is an old and influential one. 
John Russell, father of our subject, 
was a native of Virginia, and his 
grandfather, William Russell, was 
born in Ireland, whence he emi- 
grated to America and made his 
first settlement in Virginia. He 
afterward removed to Blount Coun- 
ty, Tenn., and there spent the re- 
mainder of his days. He was an early pioneer of 
the county, and did much toward its development 
and progress. 

John Russell was a young man when he removed 
from Virginia to Tennessee with his parents. He 
learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for 
some years after attaining manhood, and thereafter 
became extensively engaged in the manufacture of 
saddle-trees, which business he followed success- 
fully until his death, which took place Oct. 3, 1815, 
at the age of forty-six years. He was married to 
Miss Jane JIcNutt, a native of Breckonridge, 
W. Va., and of Scotch ancestry-. Of this union 
there were born seven children, six of whom lived 
to become men and women. The record is as fol- 



lows: Hamilton, the eldest, died July 2.s, 1817; he 
was a remarkably intelligent boy for that age, and 
was a fine scholar, being conversant with Greek and 
Latin, and well up in the sciences; Robert A., our 
subject; Sibby became the wife of Robert Caldwell, 
and settled in Boone County, Ind., where her death 
and that of her husband occurred ; Polly married 
Rev. Clayborn Young; they also settled in Boone 
County, Ind., and are both deceased; Hance H. 
married Nancy A. Utter, and they are residing at 
Ft. Madison; Elizabeth became the wife of David 
Caldwell, and they settled in Lamar County, Tex., 
where they still live ; John Q. married Jane Max- 
well, and his decease occured in Paris, Edgar Co., 
111. 

Robert A. Russell was a lad of only twelve years 
of age when he was deprived of a father's care, 
and the bereaved wife and mother was left with six 
small children to provide for. She had some prop- 
erty, consisting of a small farm and a residence in 
town. One of the last requests of the father was 
that his children should be educated in the best 
possible manner, and his wife religiously strove to 
carry out his request. Robert A. received his rudi- 
mentary education at the village academy, and iu 
later years attended Western and Southern Theo- 
logical Seminary, taking a course in the literary de- 
partment. The first real labor in which he engaged 
was as a teacher in a subscription school in the 
town of Jasper, about 1 50 miles from his home. He 




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170 



LEE COUNTY. 



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here taught two terms, and then crossed the mount- 
ains to Salem. Franklin County, where he taught 
for tlif same k-ngtii of time, thereafter engaging in 
mercantile pursuits in Winchester. He «as only 
occupied at this, however, hut a short time, when 
lie sold out and removed to Illinois, locating in 
Hnshville, Schuyler County, where he resumed his 
old occupation of teaching, and remained thus en- 
gaged for a jM-riod of six ^ears. 

In IK.'i'.l Mr. Russell came to lnwa, Ihcu a Tcrri- 
inry. He iirst located at VI. .Madison, which was 
thcii an humble liandet of about :W0 or 400 in- 
habitants. The dwellings were of the most primi- 
live description, and would be called shanties in 
tliese days; they were covered with clapboards, 
rived by hand and furnished with puncheon floors. 
M r. liussell also became a pedagogue in this new 
country, and the school building was of the same 
f^ , j-^n character .as the structures around it, being fur- 
T^r - nished with puncheon floor and benches of the 
B H same material. He continued as a teac-her for the 
p^i=fl following eight or ten years, and many of the gray- 
I : I haired farmers of to-day were then his jaipils. I)nr- 
^i^ ing the julministration of President Harrison he 
was .appointed I'ostm.aster and served two years, 
in IK 1(1 he was appointed to fill the olHces of 
Trejisnrer, Collector and Recorder, and when his 
successor was elected he was apponted the Deputy 
of these ofBccs. In 1H47 he was .again elected to 
these oflices, the duties of which he discharged until 
lb.') I. He then retired for ;( time from political 
life, and eng.aged in the insurance bnsine.ss, and 
was also elected Collector and Treasurer for a rail- 
r<»ad company which contemplated the building of 
|[j|i;;jp; a road through that section (jf country. 
11' Robert A. Russell was elected County- .ludge in 
^j^ lKi;4, which ollice he held for two terms. Three 
^ Cr years later, 1 86(j-G7, he wiis appointed Assistant 

"■ W Assessor of Internal Revenue, in which he was eu- 

1,1 *• 

11 H'^S^'^ ^^^' t>"t' year. He wsis for a time Secretary 
I and Treasurer of the Ft. Madison, Keokuk it 
\i\aB'. lil'»*J"dield Railroad, but the road was not built, 
owing to financial stress at that time. For a time 
he was engaged in the insurance business, repre- 
senting some of the best companies in the I'nited 
States, among them the Ph(enix and Connecticut, 
of Hartford, and llie KquitMlilc Life, of New York. 



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early life Sf , 
Church, |} 



but after marri.age was a devoted member of the K;, 
Presbyterian Church, and, with her husband, \vas ! 
one of the first members in this place. For thirty :,[h 
consecutive years iVIr. Russell served as Superin- M 



He built up an extensive business, having trans- 
actions in nujst of the Western and Northwestern 
States, and was one of the most valuable agents of 
the business in this part of the couutr}'. 

Hon. Robert A. Russell was married, Aug. l.i, 
1833, to Miss Louise D. Spyker, a native of Abing- ::J 
d(m, Va., born Oct. 23, 1«12. Mrs. Russell was a lady 3;} 
remarkal)le in many resiiects. She was of a singu- 6;} 
larly bright and amiable disposition and deeply re- -jj 
ligious in character. She was an especial favorite g:J 
of the young, and exercised a great influence over -=, 
those who came under her control. In early life S^-^ 
she became a member of the Methodist 



ii 



1 

tendent of Suud.ay -schools, and his history in con- 3:, 

nection with this work is probably the most re- tt\ 

niarkable of that of any man in this State. JMrs. gEi 

Russell departed this life Nov. 2!), 1883, lamented ill 

by all who knew her. Her death proved an almost ::k 

irreparable loss to her church and the religious : i|i 

coinuuinity. 

.ludge Russell synijiathized entirely with tlic . -h 

pious labors of his excellent companion, and it is ^ 

prob.able that the noble work which she .accom- _:i 

plished was in a large tneasurc due to his earnest ::! 

sympathy and sujjport. lie has lieen an Elder in Kji 

the church here for more than fifty years, and was Ki 

present at the organization of the first Sunday- i:i 

school in the penitenti.ary, in which institution he ^h 

had charge of a class up to November, 1880. He ;;i 

is also a regular .attendant of the Sunday-school of £;i 

his church, and .assists the cause liberally and cheer- ";i 

fully by his influence and the more substantial gs^ 

means at his command. He is trnl^' one of the ||i 

I 
I 



pillars of the Church in this community, whose 
place it will be dillicult to fill when he shall be able 51)1} 

ii 



to work no more. 



In former years .Judge Russell atliliated with the 3;} 



ut upon the abandonment of the old ^}J 
formation of the Republican, he 
cheerfully endorsed the principles of the latter, and S} 
assisted in the part^- orgjinization. The Russell l]'. 
family spring from excellent stock, and are noted slj 

1 

1 
:! 



Whig party 
p.arty anil tiu 



IS being people of culture, education aiul retine- 




,-, nTTT 7 ^, 



f,T^S^S?Hi 







ment. An elder brother of the Judge, by name 
\Villi;ini Ilaiiiiltuii Russell, who died at the age of 
fifteen years, was a remariiabl}' fine sohnlar for one 
of his age, and had taken a regiiliir course in the 
sciences and languages. He was a youtii of great 
[ironiise, and everyone who knew him i)redicted 
for him a liright career. The cutting down of this 
young life was a bitter blow to the family, for in 
this 3'outh had been placed great htipcs and ex- 
pectations for the future. 

Socially Judge Russell is a wiiolc-souled and 
genial gentleman, witii warm synii)atliics, ami ipiick 
to respond to the calls of friendship or charity. 
His many excellent qualities of heart and disposi- 
tion liave endeared him to a large circle of friends 
and acquaintances in this vicinity', who have but 
one report to make of him and that is, unani- 
mously-, that he is one of the most highly valued 
citizens in their midst. It is with pleasure that the 
l)ublishers of this work present a portrait of the 
Judge on another page, knowing that it will be ap- 
preciated by hosts of friends. 




property, and is now living retired from active 
business. ^ 

Jlr. and Mrs. Henzel are the parents of two chil- 
dren, Laura and Bertha, and have a pleasant home 
on the corner of Tenth and Fulton streets. In poli-nr 
tics Jlr. H. is a Democrat, and in other respects is i 
fully entitled to be classed as an intelligent man 
and a good citizen. 



jEORGE HENZEL, a respected resident of 
in partnership with his brother 
engaged in the publication of the 
Keokuk Fost, a weekly newspaper, which enjoys a 
liljeral circulation and is steadily increasing its sub- 
scription list. Mr. Henzel is a native of the Ger- 
man Empire, and emigrated from his native land 
to the United States in 1866. Before coming to 
this country he was associated with a mercantile 
house for the space of seven years and traveling as 
a salesman through Germany and Italy. Upon 
coming to the United States he proceeded to St. 
Louis, and was there engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits until 1886, when he came to Keokuk and en- 
gaged in his present business, with his bi-other as 
manager. 

(ieorge Henzel was married in St. Louis in 1876, 
to i\Iiss Hattie Frank, daughter of George P^'ank of 
that city, a native of Germany, and afterward a 
resident of Nauvoo, III. In 18.'37 he left Nauvoo 
and went to St. Louis to engage in the sale of for- 
eign li(|uors, where he accumulated considerable 





•i^feiJ- 



'^[t)lIN K. ('()()NEY,an honored |)ioneer of the 
Hawkeye State, ci'ossed the Father of Waters 
with his parents when lie was but a small 
lioy. They located about two miles east of 
Franklin Center, where his father, Dr. Mathew 
Cooney, purchased a trad of land, and engaged 
alternately in agricultural [lursuits and the practice 
of his [)rofession until his death. Our subject was 
born in Ross County, Ohio. I"eb. 25, 18;50. The 
maiden name of his mother was Miss Nancy L. 
Lewis; she was a Virginia lady, born in 1798. She 
shared with her husband all the vicissitudes and 
changes of their married life, and i)receded him to 
the better land two weeks, departing this life in 
1859. 

Dr. Mathew C'(joney, father of our subject, was a 
native of A'irginia, of Irish ancestry, and was born 
in 1796. He received a good education, was an in- 
telligent man and an cxtcMisive reader, and emi- 
nently successful in his profession. The parental 
household consisted of ten children, four of whom 
died in infancy. James T. was the eldest son; Har- 
riet A. became the wife of George Stout; Mathew 
L. married Miss Christine Judy ; Rebecca married 
H. Judy; Asa died at the age of twenty-six years. 
The subject of our sketch has been three times 
married. In early maniiood, Fel). 24, 1853, he was 
united with Miss Abigail Jud}'. The date of her 
birth was June 2, 18;S4. She became the mother of 
three sons, and departed this life May 20, 1861. 
Her children were Mathew T., who died at the age 
of seven 3'ears; John A., born April 2, 1.H58, and 
Wilson M., June 9, 1860. Mr. Cooney, for his sec- 
ond wife, married Miss .Mary .1. Simons, who onlj' 
lived six months after their wedding. His third 
marriage was celebrated Feb. 11, 1868, at which 



IS 



1 p lXXlXl XTTTX X IT l-IHXI UlJJ.Ji: 



>-Tz J zzY xxaxzx E 



i>-*if ■i-ir «»y'TnTm'Tr^T*niiT"i i 






i 



time Jliss Klleii Livers In'cairie iiis wife. She was 
Ijorii in Villi IJiiiuii County, Iowa, M:iy 25, 1843, 
and is the daughter of Benedict I. and Elizabeth 
(Shelman) Livers, l)oth natives of Kentucky. Bene- 
dict Livers was born July l.'>, 1H15, and is still liv- 
ing 111 \'aii Buien County, Iowa, engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits. Mrs. Elizabeth Livers was born 
March 2.'), 1813. and departed this life in May, 
1864, having become the mother of ten children, 
the record of wholn is as follows: Mary, born Dec. 
•29, 1837, died in 1839; Adam was born M.ay 10, 
1839; Guy 1)., Feb. 27, is 11; Klleii, May 25, 
1843; Catharine, June 4, 184G; Maria, Oct. 5, 
1848; Sylvester, .Tune 13, 1850; Nancy J., April 
29, 1852; .lames IL, .luly 1, 1854; Sarah A., May 
18, 1850; Adam. Sylvester and Sarah are deceased. 
After his marriage Mr. Cooney located upon 
-nM, Devil Creek, this county, where he resided five 
^ 3'ears. lie then sold out, and purchased 192 acres, 
which constitute the present line homestead. His 
children by the last marriage have been five in 
number, two of whom are deceased, and the rec- 
ord is as follows: .lames (i., born Dec. 23, IKOX; 
Ida .1.. Marcii 0, 1H7I; Henry C, .luiie 1. 1^72; 
Charles B., born Aug. 3, 1875, died Feb. 13, 1880; 
(ieorge W., born .lune 8, 1880, died .July 16 of 
the same year. 

In addition to general husbandry, Mr. Cooney is 
giving considerable atteiiti(^ii to the breeding of 
fine stock, making a specialty of Poland-China 
swine. The homestead is finely located and the 
land under a good state of cultivation. Mr. C. has 
been a thorough-going business man and has been 
prosperous in his undertakings. He and his family 
are members in good standing of the Baptist 
Church, and his son Wilson is C(mi|)leting a course 
of ministerial stud^' at the Baptist Theological Sem- 
inary in Morgan I'ark, III. 

Mr. Cooney is greatly interested in the success 
of various societies and orders. He belongs to the 
A. F. it A. M., Blue Lodge, which is .lo[)pa Lodge 
No. 136 at Montrose, and his Chapter Lodge, Pot- 
owonock No. 28, at Ft. Madison, Iowa. Mv. C. 
Ims been a Mason since 1800, having filled all the 
offices of the Blue Lodge in the town of West 
Point, where he was W. M. in the year 1801. He 
enlisted as a soldier at the outbreak of the Kebel- 
HHH' 





lion, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant of 
the State Militia, Iowa Regulars of Lee County, 
holding his commission until tlie close of the war. 
He was called to the field on the southern borders 
of this State and Northern Missouri, and participa- 
ted in the engagement at Athens, under command 
of Col. Moore. He participated, with his regiment, 
in all their various other skirmishes and engage- 
ments, and remained in the militia service for three 
years. He is a member of Tip Best Post No. 75, 
G. A. R., of which he was Commander one year 
and is still Adjutant. In politics Mr. Cooney affil- 
iates with the Democratic party. A view of the 
homestead is shown on another page of this work. 

'if/OIlN MATTERN, a wealthy and inducntial 
farmer and stock-raiser of Franklin Town- 
ship, owns and occupies a fine homestead on 
section 32. He came to Lee County in 
1 850, and located in this township, of which he has 
lieen a resident since that time, and is well and 
widely known throughout this section. His farm 
estate consists of 240 acres of prairie and 104 acres 
of tiinlier. His prairie land is under a fine state of 
cultivation, and upon it is a comfortable farm 
dwelling, and all the necessary out-buildings for 
the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. 

Mr. Mattern is a native of Bavaria, and was born 
Oct. 13, 1822, being reared and educated in his na- 
tive land, where his father before him lived and 
died. At the age of twenty-eight years our sub- 
ject emigrated to the United States, and proceed- 
ing directlj' westward located at West Point, in 
Lee County. Here he learned the trade of a car- 
penter, which he followed for ten years, and then 
abandoned it to become a fanner. He has been 
greatly prospered in his agricultural pursuits, and 
is now extensively engaged in the loaning of 
money. 

.lohu Mattern was married in Quincy, 111., in 
1852, to Miss Caroline Schok, a native of Wurtem- 
berg, born on the 7th of October, 1829. Her fa- 
ther was also a native of Germany, a farmer bj' 
occupation, and passed his entire life in his own 
country. Mrs. Mattern lived at home with her 



I zxxxxxu, 



_ _ rTrrTtiFiJiixsrtxifl qi ■ 













LEE COUNTY. 



173„_^=^ 



parents until she had arrived at years of woman- 
liood, and then came to the United States with an 
nncle, whose liouse remained her home until her 
marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. M. became the parents of ten chil- 
dren, all of whom are living, the record being as 
follows: Lisetta is a dressmaker at Keokuk, Iowa; 
Laura, the widow of George Cook, lives in the 
same city; George married Miss Kate Meinhard, 
and they are residents of Donnellson ; John is at 
home ; Maggie and Katie are at Burlington ; Reka 
received an education in the college at Keokuk, 
and is engaged in teaching; Clara, Anna R. and 
Mattie L. are at home. The family are members 
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and in politics 
Mr. Mattern is strongly Democratic. Mr. M., in 
companj- with Henry Albert, is the owner of the 
elevator at Donnellson, and has other large and 
valnal)le interests in this section. 



-*- 



^:kr^-^ 



: :@1 



OIINSON MEEK. This gentleman was the 
third settler in what is now Des Moines 
Township, and the oldest one now living. 
lie crossed the Mississippi in tiie month of 
November, 1856, and settled u|)on a tract of land 
tviiich constitutes his present homestead. At the 
time of his coming here not a furrow had been bro- 
ken on section 19, and he was among the first men 
to purchase an interest in what was known as the 
"half-breed tract," then undivided. On account 
of a flaw in the title he was obliged to pay a sec- 
ond time for a portion of his land, but amid this 
and many other discouragements he steadily 
[lushed his way forward, improved and cultivated 
his laud, and in due time met with the rich reward 
of his labors. He lived economicallj^, disbursed his 
means judiciously, and from time to time has made 
additional purchases of land, until he is now the 
proud possessor of 616 acres, embr.acing a body of 
the best land in the Ilawkeye State, all l.ying along 
the Des Moines River, and most of it in the first 
bottoms. Most of his land is improved, and he has 
a valuable timber tract. 

As soon as he found it practicable INIr. JMeek es- 




tablished a nurserj' upon a small scale, from seed 
which he had brought with him upon coming here. ^^S 
He also grafted extensively throughout the neigh- 
borhood, and thus obtained a remarkable degree of _iMi lh 
skill in this brancli of the business. He has re- 
cently made great improvements upon his farm by 
the ei'ection of various necessary out-buildings, and 
his homestead forms one of the most attractive 
spots in the landscape of Lee count}'. He has a fine 
residence, good barns, costly farm implements and 
machinery, and all the requisites of a first-class 
farmer and stock-grower. He has assisted mater- 
ially in the building up of this portion of the coun- 




try, and his name is an honored one throughout W W 
this section of the county. He has been liberal in _1m_J1 



m 
1 



his ideas, and generous in his contribution to and 
support of all measures which were calculated for 
the welfare of the community, socially, morally and 
religiousl}-. 

Mr. Meek is a native of West Virginia, born in II .^ 

Brooke County, near the Ohio River, March 3, !} W 






180.5. His father, William Meek, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, removing from there to West Vir- 
ginia with his parents wlieu a child of two years 
old, and there remained until he had attained to 
years of manhood. He then went back to his na- 
tive county, an<l was there married to Miss Eliza- 
beth .Johnson. Her parents were of English and 
German descent, possessing all the sturdy attri- 
butes of the two races combined. 

Johnson Meek was the eldest of a family of five IJ| 
sons and three daughtei-s. His parents were of 
Irish descent, and of their family, three sons and 
all the daughters are still living. The two who are 
deceased lived to an advanced age. Johnson Meek 
was reared partly in his native county and partly 
in Ohio. He was married, Ai)ril 15, 18-2'J, to Miss 
Mary Kean, who was born in Pennsylvania in Au- 
gust, 1814, and was of Scotch and German parent- ^^^ 
age. She became the wife of our subject at the 
age of fifteen years, removed with him to Iowa, 
and there departed tliis life in Des Jloines Town- 
ship, April 7, 1.S44. She had become the mother of 
two children, who still survive her: Zantippe be- 
came the wife of Thomas A. Smith, who died in 
1884; she is now a resident of Eureka, Ark. ; Ar- '^ra 
miuta is the widow of Marvin Tccl; she lives in ^^ 




tLlniiiilXiZJa 



"SO'HTFT^ 






rii-mimrxiiniiiiimn-n C^KTSn min xrrm rxnnixruitm ; 



174 



LEE COUNTY. 









,^ San Lorenzo, Cal., and is the mother of three chil- 

I flrei). 

jg Mr. Meek was the secuiul time niiuried, .Inn. 2 1, 

"~ 1K.')0, in I)es Moines Township. U> Mrs. I'riscilla K. 
(Ilearn) McBride, daughter uf Saiiiiicl ami .lant- 
(Kwinjf) Ilt-arn. Ilcr parents were reared and mar- 
ried in Montgomery Count}-, Ohio. They came to 
Iowa in 183.'3. locating in Lee County, and were the 
pM first white settlers in Ues Moines Township. The 
family then consisted of five children, of whom 
Mrs. M. was the eldest but one. She was l)oru in 
Wiishington Townsliip, Montgomery Co., Oliio, 
Oct. ."5, 181 1). Upon lirst c(jming here her family 
encountered all the hardships and privations inci- 
dent to the early pioneer. They found nothing but 
wild .■miinals and Indian.s, and their home was often 
\ i>iicd by the latter, of whom they succeeded in 
making friends instead of enemies. They iin- 
l)roved and enltivated their land, and after many 
years of toil and hardship began to enjoy the fruit 
of their labors. The parents lived to see a pros- 
p^i perous eivilization around thenu and smiling farms 
jl' which had been evolved from a wilderness. They 
watched with the greatest interest the tide of emi- 
gration, and assisted by every means in their power 
in the advancement of the interests of their county 
and community. The father departed this life in 
1872, at the ripe old age of eighty years; the 
mother in 184."), at the age of sixty-three. 

.Mrs. Meek remained with her parents until her 
marriage to Robert L. McHride. They were 
married in .Missouri, and lived there most <jf the 
tinu' afterwaril until her husband's death. Of her 
union with -Mr. .Meek she became the mother of six 
children, two of whom are deceased: Jane A. be- 
c.'ime the wife of .Iose|)li Rayn, and they reside on 
a part of the old homestead; Otto 15. married Miss 
Martha Sullivan, and they live in Adair Count}', 
Mo.; Hlauche re?ides at home, as also <loes K. B., 
ami they both a^sist in the duties of the household 
and faiin. .Mar}- L., deceased, was the wife of 
Richard HriuUerhoft', and left one child, which is 
still living; ICarnesl is also ileceased. 

The excelli'Ut trails of character of .Mr. .Meek 
were recognized in his early life, ,ind he was soon 
called upon to till the prominent olliccs of his town- 
ship, all of which he ha.^ held with great credit to 



mm 



himself and satisfaction to his townsmen. Politi- 
cally he tuis been identified with the National 
(ireenback and Democratic parties, and while 
strong in his convictions he is always willing to lis- 
ten to argument and reason, and i)ossesses the 
manly quality of being willing to be convinced. 
He is fully entitled to be termed an honest man 
and a good citizen, and as one of the little band of 
pioneers, who are fast p.issing away, he is viewed 
with peculiar reverence and respect. 




ERMAN WELSING, who is transacting a 
prosperous insurance business at Ft. Madi- 
son, is a fine representative of that stanch 
WJ) German element which has done so much 
toward the development of the industrial interests 
of the great West, lie is a native of Mnnster, 
Westphalia, (iermany, born April 23, 182!t, and his 
parents were Kmricli and Anna (H.iake) Welsing, 
natives of the same town and Province. 

The household of the parents of our subject con- 
sisted of five children, of whom Herman was tlir 
only one who came to the United States. Ileal- 
tended school in his boyhood days until nineteen 
years of age, and received an excellent education 
in his native language, besides the dead and mod- 
ernn languages. He was enterprising and amlii- 
tious, having a thoughtfid care for the future and 
a great desire to see the New World. This was in 
opposition to the wishes of his parents, .as his fa- 
ther desired him to learn a trade, and he was placed 
in an agricultural school to learn the art of farm- 
ing. In 18.") I he entered the Prussian army, 
served one year as a volunteer, and thereafter was 
engaged in agricultural pursuits for two years. 

Mr. Welsing, however, had not given up his 
original intention, and in 1 8.>.3 set sail for America. 
He arrived in New York City on June 1, and 
remained there for one season. He then went to 
Pennsylvania, and was engaged in a sawmill, but in 
the spring of 18.")7 he set his face westward, cross- 
ing the Mississippi and coming into Lee County. 
He soon afterward, however, went to St. Paul, 
Minn., and became a clerk in a store, remaining 
there until the fall of the year, when he returned 






3E 



?a 



■13 



to West Point, Lee County, .ind became engaged 
in mercantile pursuits, in which he was success- 
fully occupied until 187G. He then removed to 
Ft. Madison, having' been elected County' Treas- 
urer of Lee Count}', and assumeil the duties of his 
office. He was re-elected the following year, and 
since that time has been engaged in the insurance 
business. He is now the representative of eight of 
the best and most substantial companies in the 
United States, and is said to be the only agent rep- 
resenting the ^Etna and North American Company 
at the same time. He confines his attention exclu- 
sively to fire insurance. In the fall of ISGO Mr. 
Welsing returned to his native land, and visited his 
parents for the last time, his father departing this 
life in 1863, and the mother in 1868. 

The subject of this sketch was married to Miss 
Mary M. Benjamin in 1863. Mrs. W. is a native 
of Louisiana, born in New Orleans Jan. 13, 1846, 
and by her union with Mr. Welsing has become the 
mother of seven children— August, Anna, Theresa, 
Enirich, William, Ida and Louisa. They occupy 
a handsome home in the city of Ft. Madison, which 
is the resort of a large number of the cultured peo- 
ple of the place. 

In politics our subject affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party, and east his first vote for Stephen A. 
Douglas for President. Mr. W. was Postmaster at 
West Point under President Johnson, and has also 
been the incumbent of various other local offices. 
Religiously he is an adherent of the Catholic faith. 



VILLIAM C. STRIPE, one of the projectors 
and organizers of the Keokuk Water Works, 
is now Superintendent, and fills the duties 
of his responsible position with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to all concerned. To Mr. Stripe 
the citizens of Keokuk are largely indebted for his 
energetic and persistent efforts in establishing this 
much needed improvement, which is almost indis- 
pensable to the health and convenience of the den- 
izens of a modern city, and his work in connection 
with this will stand as an enduring monument of 
his worth as a citizen and his value as a member of 
the commnnit}-. 

Mr. Stripe is one of the early settlers of Lee 



County, having come to luwa in 1S40 while it was 
yet a Territory. lie was born in Woolwich, En- 
gland, on the 18th of January, 1812. His father, 
William Stripe, was a surveyor and civil engineer, 
and transmitted to his sons in a marked degree 
those natural talents which made him .1 man of 
note in his native England. The maiden name of 
our subject's mother was Miss Priscilla Culver, and 
she was the daughter of Rev. William Culver, a 
Baptist minister who was distinguished for his fine 
talents and extensive learning. 

William C. Stripe of this biography, was edu- 
cated in the city of Liverpool, continuing in school 
until he was fourteen years of age. In 1840 he set 
sail for the United States, embarking at Liverpool 
upon the " John Ta3'lor," a large vessel, this being 
its first voyage, and proving a very unfortunate 
one. They encountered a terrific storm, during 
which the vessel was driven to land and wrecked 
upon the Island of Cuba. Most of the crew, how- 
ever, escaped with their lives, being taken up by 
another vessel, Ijy which our subject was landed in 
New Orleans iu the month of October. In Decem- 
ber he came to Keokuk, accompanied by his wife, 
they having buried their three children in Liver- 
pool. The mother, whose maiden name was Eliza 
Payne, and to whom our subject was married in 
1831, died in Ft. Madison in 1842. 

In 1851 Mr. Stripe engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness, becoming " mine host " of what was known 
as the St. Charles. This he sold out at the expira- 
tion of one year, and took charge of the real-estate 
business of Judge Charles Mason, which composed 
two-fifths of the Half-Breed Tract, including the 
city of Keokuk. He was afterward api^ointed 
United States Assessor, which office he filled ac- 
ceptably for a period of eleven years and until the 
office was abolished. 

In the meantime the necessity fur a water works 
system in the city of Keokuk had long forced itself 
upon the attention of her prominent citizens, but 
none seemed to possess the knowledge and genius 
sufficient to plan and carry through so gigantic an 
enterprise. Mr. Stripe at last came to the front 
with his plans and specifications, which at once 
found favor with those in authority, and the work 
was placed under way. He superintended it from 



1^1 



m 
1 



"S 



Vnixiiitiiixtitii I Ji 1 1 1 tt » 1 1 kT'tT^.n' 



riizmzxTxxirz-ii ^^T^rs 



ixuxaroxtx. 






176 



LEE COUNTY. 



m 



the first iiiid has continued its watchful guardian 
until the present, his entire understanding of the 
business constituting him pc'rhai)s the best incum- 
bent of the position that could be found. Besides 
Superintendent he is also Secretary and chief engi- 
neer, and with all these res])onsibilities upon his 
shoulders carries a level head and is ready for any 
emergency. In noticing the operations of this 
magnificent system, the ordinary citizen can 
scarcely conceive of the tact, talent and knowledge 
necessary for the carrying on of nil its |i;uls in the 
uniform and systematic m.-mner whicli is so indis- 
pensable to its success. 

^\'illiam V. Slri|n' und Miss Kli/.a Anderson were 
united in marriage at Ft. Madison in ISl'.K Mrs. 
.Stripe is the daughter of William Anderson, Esq., 
of Ft. Madison, who was the first Warden of the 
State Penitentiary at Ft. Madison. Of this union 
there have l)een born eleven children, of wlK)m the 
following are living: Frederick II., George M., 
Frank, Lida, Harriet F. and Mary. i\Ir. Stripe has 
served as member of the City Council of Keokuk 
P one year. au<l has also been Assessor of Mic city. 
With his family he occupies a handsome home on 
Seventh street, and enjoys the friendship and es- 
teem of a large circle of friends and !ic(|UMiMta/;ces 



ii 



#^ 



m 




LEXANDFH W. ANDERSON, of Van 
IJuren Townsiiip, is successfully prosecut- 
ing his calling as a farmer on his fine tract 
^ of Ian<l, located on section 12. lie is a 

native of Greenbrier County, W. Va., his birth 
taking place July 13, ls;!9, and came to Iowa witii 
his parents when he was a youth of fourteen years 
old. They made their first location in this town- 
ship, and the subject of our sketch has been a resi- 
dent here since that time, watching the growth and 
development of his adopted State, and contribut- 
ing as he had opi>ortunity to its advanceinent and 
progress. 

The parents of our subject were .lob juid Esther 
(Parkins) Anderson, l)oth natives of Honnie Scot- 
land. Their family consisted of eight children: 
John I).; A. W., of our sketch; Mary J., who died 
at the age of four years in Virgiida; Ann i:ii/a, 




William, Silas, Emily and Vii'ginia. Job Ander- 
son departed this life in 1865; the mother still sur- 
vives. 

Mr. Anderson is the owner of 150 acres of some 
of the finest farming land in this section. He has 
a comfortable farm dwelling and good bai'ns and 
outhouses. He is still unmarried, is Democratic in 
politics, and is a member in good standing of tlie 
Baptist Church. 

■^ACOB AVIEGNER, a general farmer and 
stock-raiser of Franklin Township, owns and 
occupies a valuable farm of 271) acres on 
section 22, the greater part of which is highly 
improved and under a good state of cultivation. 
The family' of our subject occupy a comfortable 
farm dwelling, and he lias a fine barn, good out- 
houses, costly farm machinery, and all the appli- 
ances for carrying on agriculture in a first-class 
manner. 

The subject of this history is a native of Lee 
County, and was born in Franklin Township June 
11, 18'19. His father, Peter Wiegner, was a pio- 
neer settler of the Ilawkeye State, to which he emi- 
grated from his native Germany at an early period ^ 
in the history of this section. He made his first 
location in Franklin Township, and in the estaljlish- 
inent of a home experienced many hardships and 
privations. He had come to stay, however, and 
was undaunted in the resolution to allow no diflJ- 
culties to overcome him. In due time he was re- 
warded for his fatigue and toils by the picture of 
a beautiful farm around him which he had elimin- 
ated from the seemingly barren prairie. 

Jacob Wiegner during his earlier years remained 
under the parental roof and received a good educa- 
tion in the public schools of Lee County. He was 
married in this township, Nov. 25, 1875, to Miss 
Charlotte F. Rauscher, a native of Franklin Town- 
ship, l)oni on the (Uh of April, 1851. Her father. 
Christian Rauscher, now deceased, was engaged in 
the joint occupations of a merchant and bl.acksmith, 
:uid was a man of energy and industiy. Mrs. 
Wiegner remained under the parental roof until 
her marriage, and has become the mother of five 



I 




V^5S^^^^ 





:| children, one of whom, an infant unnamed, is de- 
ceased. The living are Anna H., Clara A., Media 
D. and Simon V. 

Mr. AViegner is prominent in local affairs of his 
vicinitj'^, and takes an intelligent interest in the 
progress of his count}' and State. He affiliates 
with the democratic party, and is the encourager 
of education, morality and religion. 



H. KREBILL, a highly esteemed farmer of 
Franklin Township, is the possessor of a 
comfortable homestead located on section 
20. His property consists of eighty acres of good 
farming land, and he occupies a comfortable farm 
dwelling, and has a good barn and all the necessary 
outhouses. He has been a resident of the Hawk- 
eye State since 1857, and has established for him- 
self a reputation as an honest man and a good citi- 
zen. 

Mr. Krebill was born in Ashland County, Ohio, 
Feb. 1, 1,S49. His father, Jacob Krebill, was a 
farmer, of German ancestry and parentage, and 
came to the United States with his parents when a 
lad of twelve j"ears old. They located in Ashland 
County, Ohio, where their son, Jacob, after attain- 
ing to years of manhood, was married to Miss 
Eliza A. Strickland, a native of the Buckeye State. 
After the birth of four children, Jacob Krebill 
came with his family to Lee County, and located 
in Franklin Township, upon the site of their pres- 
ent home. The father afterward changed his loca- 
tion, going into another part of the township, and 
is still living, at the age of sixty-four years, with 
his wife, who is sixty years old. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his par- 
ents until he became of age. He was married in 
this township to Miss Elizabeth Rings, who was 
born and reared in Franklin Township, the date of 
her birth being Feb. 10, 1852. She died at the 
home of her husband on the 29th of August, 1882, 
and had become the mother of six children, three 
of whom are deceased; the living are Albert, Ed- 
win and Clara, who are at home with their father. 
The second marriage of Mr. Krebill occurred in 
this township, Aug. iiO, 1883, when he was wedded 



1?: 

13: 

i-x 



to Miss Elizabeth Rings, a cousin of his first wife. 
The present Mrs. K. was also born and reared in 
Franklin Township, and is the mother of two chil- 
dren — Charlotte and Otto. 

Mr. K. has been prominent in his township since 
coming here, his habits of industry and strictly 
honorable dealings securing for him at once the 
confidence of his felh^w townsmen. He has held 
the various offices in this locality, and has been 
Township Trustee for two terms. He was also 
Township Clerk for the same length of time. In 
politics he is a conscientious Democrat, and uni- 
formly votes in support of the princi[)les of that 
party. The family are connected with the Men- 
nonite Church, and Mr. K. has been Superintend- 
ent of the Sunday-school f(jr many years. 

-j>t>»-i!t^ -^i^^i^^^s-f- 
^/EREMY G. ANDERSON, a prominent and 
successful farmer of Montrose Township, is 
pleasantl}' located on section 13. He is a 
native of Lee Count}', born March 3, 184G, 
five months after the death of his father, Jeremiah 
G. Anderson, Sr. His mother was Miss Eliza 
Hampton before her marriage, and both the parents 
of our suliject were natives of Kentucky. The 
father's death took place in September, 1845, and 
it is supposed that he was poisoned by the Mor- 
mons. He was then living across the river from 
Nauvoo, and was greatly opposed to the faith of 
the Latter-Day Saints. His three brothers living 
in the same vicinity, died within two weeks of 
each other, in 1840. Mrs. Eliza Anderson, the 
mother of our subject, was born in 1819, survived 
her husband forty-one j'ears, and died Aug. 27, 
188G. By her union with Mr. Anderson she be- 
came the mother of three children: William H. 
died at Pike's Peak in about 1861; Sarah J. was 
married to George B. Katlin, and Jeremy, the 
youngest, is the subject of our sketch. 

Mr. Anderson remained with his mother during 
his childhood years, and after attaining to manhood 
was united in marriage with Miss Liberty Kite, the 
wedding occurring Nov. 3, 1867. Mrs. Anderson 
is the daughter of John and Angeline (Graham) 
Kite, and was born Aug. 20, 1850. Her parents 





1 



II 

if i 



■^ 



BSi 










178 



LEE COUNTY. 









Hiic natives of Kentucky, and are still living in 
Sumniitville, Iowa. The household circle of Mr. 
:iiiil .Mrs. Anderson includes eight children: .John 
II.. born in IBCH; J. C, May 2.'., KS72; Jeremy (i. 
inlH7:i; Clara, in 1H76; Italph, Aug. 3, 1877 : Ray- 
mond, March 11, 1880; Karl L. :ni(l Sarah K., 
twins, were born Feb. "28, 188(1. 

Mr. Anderson is the possessor of I '.it; acres of 
finely cultivated land. He has a handsome farm 
dwelling, with good barns and outhouses (a view 
of which is shown in this work), all the necessary 
farm machinery and implements, and everything 
requiretl to carry on agriculture in a first-class 
manner. He is a man of good standing in his 
community, and belongs to .Toppa Lodge No. i;!C, 
at Montrose, is a Good Templar, and also member 
of the Eastern .Star Chapter at Montrose. Politi- 
cally he is an uncompromising Democrat, and uni- 
formly casts his vote in support of the ijrinciples of 
his party. 




2"2. He has operated this tract of land for the past 
four years, and is emulating the virtues of his par- 
ent to a marked degree. The std)ject of our his- 
tory is a native of Lee County, his birth having 
occurred in Franklin Township on the 22d of No- 
^=1 veniber, l.sr)7. His father, Peter Wiegner, fol- 
^■'^^ lowed agricultural pursuits the greater part of his 
life, but is now retired from active labor and is 
living in Northwest Kansas. He was a native of 
the German Empire, and born in the kingdom of 
w^ Bavaria. He emigrated to the I iii ted .States at the 
Jj age of eleven years, and after reaching the shores 
of the New World proceeded directly westward 
across the Father of Waters to Iowa. (See sketch 
of his brother, Adam Wiegner, on another page in 
this volume.) 

•John P. Wiegner was reared by his parents at 
home, received a fair education in the public 
schools, and remained an inmate of his father's 
household until his marriage, which took place Oct. 
31, 1878, Miss Susan G. X'ogt becoming his wife. 



Mrs. W. is a: native of Lee County, and was born 
Aug. 3, 1855. She is of German ancestry and 
parentage, her father i-raigrating to the United 
States and settling in Iowa at an early period in 
its history. She remained with her parents until 
her marriage in Franklin Township. Her father 
was a shoemaker, and both parents are still living 
in this township. Mr. and Mrs. W. have had born 
to them two children, Carrie and Henry, the former 
of whom is deceased. Mr. W. is Democratic in 
politics, and in all respects is fulfilling the duties 
of a good citizen. 



3lq 



-€-*-&- 



-^ 




ANIEL KENNEDY, decea.sed, who was 
one of the highly respected pioneers of 
Jackson Township, came to Lee County in 
the fall of 1850, and was a resident of this 
vicinity from that time until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1 875. He was a native of Nashville, Tenn., 
born in 1813, and when a j'outh of fifteen years 
removed from his native State with his parents into 
Southern Illinois, where he remained with the ex- 
ception of eighteen months until making his final 
settlement in the Hawkcye State. Upon first com- 
ing into the State he wr.s accompanied bj' his wife 
and four children, and they first located in Keokuk, 
where they remained one winter, and the follow- 
ing spring settled in Jackson Township. 

Mr. Kennedy was married in Illinois to Miss 
Mary Douglas, a native of that State, and they be- 
came the [larents of three children — Mar}' J., Har- 
riet E. and William A. The two latter are de- 
ceased. Mrs. Mary Kennedy departed this life in 
Missouri in 1847. The second marriage of Mr. 
Kennedy was with Miss Martha Short, also of Illi- 
nnis. who by her union with our subject became 
the mother of two children — Margaret A. and 
James A. The former became the wife of Charles 
E. McCartj-, and departed this life Feb. 12, 1887; 
James married Miss Maggie Carter, and lives in 
Missouri. Mrs. Martha Kennedy died in 1852. 

Miss Mary J. Kennedy, the only surviving mem- 
ber of the first family of chihlren, was born in Illi- 
nois in 1839. She is the owner of fifty-five acres 
of good land in Jackson Township and occupies a 

CC 



S?i 



5^1 





I 



#%>, 






i 



comfortable homestead. She is promineatly con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
highly respected in her community. 

Diiniel Kennedy was well known in this locality 
as an honest and upright man, the friend of good 
order, morality and education, and whenever op- 
portunity' occurred, contributed of his time and 
means to promote the welfare of his county and 
township. He was greatly beloved by his house- 
hold, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of a 
large circle of friends. 



ON. JOSEPH M. CASEY, of Ft. Madison, 
is a native of Adair County, Ky., and comes 
from an old and influential family. The 
date of his birth was March 25, 1827. His 
grandfather. Col. William Casey, was a native of 
Virginia, and removed to Kentucky when a young 
man, being among the early settlers there, and be- 
came noted as a pioneer and Indian-flghter. He 
was a man of great courage, and became prominent 
in the politics of that section. He was a member 
of the Kentucky State Senate for a jjeriod of twelve 
years, and in 1808 was one of the presidential 
electors to serve after the nomination of .James 
Madison. The wife of Col. Casey was a Miss 
Montgomery, also a native of Virginia, who re- 
moved with her parents to Kentuckj- at a very 
early day in the history of that section. Her father 
was killed by the Indians, and she had several 
brothers, all of whom are supposed to have been 
killed in the French aud Indian and the Revolu- 
tionary Wars. 

Green Case^', the father of our subject, was the 
first white child born in Adair County, Ky., and in 
early manhood was united in marriage with Miss 
Jane Patterson, a native of Rockingham County, 
Va. In 1836 they removed from Kentucky to 
Illinois, locating in Sangamon County. The father 
afterward made a journey into tiie Territory' of 
Iowa, and made a claim adjoining what afterward 
became the town plat of West Point. He then re- 
turned to his home in Illinois and sold his property, 
preparatory to a removal across the Mississippi. 
Before the completion of his arrangements, how- 



ever, he was taken fatally ill and died, leaving his 
family in moderate circumstances. The year fol- 
lowing the mother, accompanied by four of her 
children (her eldest daughter having previously' 
married), removed to Iowa and settled on the 
claim which had been made by her husband. There 
she reared her children, superintended the cultiva- 
tion of her farm, established a comfortable home- 
stead, and remained upon it until her death. The 
grandmother of our subject also died at West 
Point, after having attained the advanced age of 
eighty-five years. 

Green and Jane (Patterson) Casey became the 
parents of six children, five of whom attained their 
majorit}': John A. died in Kansas; Mary A., in 
Lee County, Iowa; Margaret J. became the wife 
of Alfred U. Stone, aud died in Pekin, III. ; Will- 
iam P. now resides in Crawford County, Kan., and 
Joseph M., the subject of our sketch, was the 
youngest of the family. 

Joseph M. Casey was but eleven years of age 
when his mother settled in Lee Couut>' with her 
family. During his boyhood and youth he suffered 
much from asthma, but his elder brothers were 
very kind aud considerate, and favored him with 
the lightest work. He received a good education 
in the common schools and the academy at West 
Point, his tutor at the latter institution being Rev. 
.John Mark Fulton, a Presbyterian divine. At the 
age of seventeen years our subject commenced the 
study of law in the office of Judge John F. Kinney, 
then a prominent attorney of Lee County, and 
afterward a Judge of the Supreme Ct)urt of [owa. 
He also at intervals received instruction from Cy- 
rus Walker, one of the ablest jurists from Illinois, 
and being a diligent student he was admitted to 
the bar at the early age of twenty years. 

In July, 1847, Mr. Casey went to Keokuk County 
to look about for a permanent location. His in- 
telligence, studious habits and worthy ambition 
had secured him many warm, friends, and they 
urged him to locate in L-incaster, then the county 
seat of Keokuk County, and promised to elect him 
to the position of Prosecuting Attorney. He told 
them he would have to return to Lee County for 
a short time at least, whereupon they requested 
him to leave one shirt with them so that they could 




TT! 



I'tWrtT'j 1 1 1 > 1 1 1 



V. 7^ 






182 



LEE COUNTY. 



claim him for a citizen. This he did. visited Lee 
County, returned to Keokuk County, and in tiie 
Auijiist follo\vin<r reoeived the nomination for the 
office which had been promised him, and was tri- 
umphantly elected. .\t the expiration of his term 
he was re-elected, nnd held tlie ofliee for alifxit six 
years. 

While at Laiiiaster .Judge Casey was associated 
with several young men. wiio like liimself were 
striving to make their mark in the world. Among 
them may bo mentioned M. M. Crocker, afterward 
a General in the late Civil War; (ien. .James A. 
Williamson, occup3'ing the same high position, and 
now a resident of Washington, D. C, whei'c he has 
held important positions; K. L. Burton, now .Judge 
of Ottumwa, Iowa; E. .S. .Sampson, afterward .Judge 
and Congressman; George D. Wordon and Cyrus 
H. .Mackey. 

In 18.0;) the county .seat of IveokiUi County w:is 
removed from Lancaster to Sigourncy, and as Mr. 
Casey was that fall elected County .Judge, he re- 
moved to .Sigourney and performed the duties of 
his office satisfactorily until April, 1861. He was 
in the meantime also editor of the loira Democrat 
for a period of two 3'ears. Desiring, however, to 
make Ft. Madison his permanent home, he removed 
thither, arriving April 12 of the same year, leaving 
a lucrative practice and many true friends. Dur- 
ing the Civil War there was but little professional 
business to eugage his attention, and he accord- 
ingly occupied himself as editor of the Ft. .Madison 
Plaindealer, being thus engaged for three years, 
and since then has giveu his whole attention to the 
practice of law. 

Politically Judge Casey has ahvaj's been an un- 
compromising Democrat, casting his first vote for 
Gen. Cass, but although he has firmly adhered to 
a!id advocated the principles of his party, he has 
never l)een so biased liy jiolitical prejudice as not 
to allow those who differed from hiui the peaceful 
enjoyment of their opinions, recognizing the fact 
that men m.iy honestly dilTer in their views, and 
that each is liable to be right or mistaken. As a 
consequence of llii> liberal and sensible spirit. 
Judge Casey has many personal friends among 
men with whose political views he is at variance. 
His ability 1= universally recognized, and he has 




been called to many important positions since he 
became a citizen of Lee Countj". He has been 
twice elected Maj'or of Ft. Madison; has repre- 
sented his District in the Lower House of the Iowa 
State Legislature in the Eighteenth General Assem- 
bly', and was a member of the Senate in the Twenty- 
first General A.ssembly. He has alwaj-s taken an 
active interest in educational matters, doing cv- 
ciything in his power to establish and maintain the 
public school system in his locality, and for four 
years vvas President of the Board of Education. 

Personally .Tudge Casey is courteous, affable and 
obliging. He has decided mathematical genius, 
and is what might be called a master of numbers. 
In argument he is not often excelled, and as an ad- 
vocate before the Supreme Court his efforts have 
been styled Ijy eminent jurists as models of logical 
strength and literary merit. Socially he is connected 
with Claypole Lodge No. l."5, A. F. <fe A. JL, Poto- 
wonok Chapter No. 28, R. A. M., and Damascus 
Commaudery No. .i, K. T., and has been honored 
with the highest offices in the gift of the order. He 
is also a member in high standing of the I. O. O. F. 

As an .attorney the aim of Judge Casey has al- 
wa^'s been to put forth his best efforts for his 
clients, and he resolved at the commencement of 
his practice to never resort to deception or dishon- 
esty. To these principles he has so closelj' adhered 
that Courts and juries never have occasion to ques- 
tion the sincerity of his arguments, and it has be- 
come a common sa3Mng that, '■ For safe counsel and 
honest advice, go to Judge Casey." 

The marriage of Joseph M. Casey and Mrs. Sarah 
Jane (Ward) Hollinsworth was celebrated in 1854. 
The parents of Mrs. Casey were Thomas and Nancy 
Ward, and her birth occurred in Wayne County, 
Ohio, in 1832. She became the wife of Mr. Hol- 
linsworth in 18.50, and his decease occurred in 
1851. Of this marriage w.as l)orn one child, a son, 
who is now better known .as Albert E. Casey. Of 
her union with Judge Casej' five children have been 
born, one of whom died in infancy. The living .are 
.Sabert M. ; Belle V., now the wife of William S. 
Hamilton, an attorney of Lincoln, Neb.; Joseph M., 
Jr., and .Sarah. 

In November, hsyij, Judge Casej' was elected 
Judge of the First Judicial District (by a flattering 



Es 






.K333H5}, 



-3HSt?ESE^ 




mMM 



LEE COUNTY 




\i 

33!: 



vote far in excess of his party strengtli), composed 
of the counties of Des Moines and Lee. The ca- 
reer of Judge Case}- affords a striking example of 
what a young man with abundant ambition maj- ac- 
complish. A position which has been attained 
through earnest effort is universally considered of 
more value than one into which the young man has 
fallen without any exertions of his own. It is al- 
ways interesting to watch the career of an aspir- 
ing youth, and his success furnishes th« best incen- 
tive in the world to those who are ambitious to ex- 
cel. The accompanying portrait of Judge Casey 
will be looked upon with interest by those who 
have known him so long and so well, and who give 
their full meed of praise to a worthy and honored 
citizen. 



ACOB KREBILL, a successful farmer and 
stock-raiser of Franklin Township, is pleas- 
antlj' located on section 27. He has been a 
J resident of the Hawkej'e State since 1857, 
: and in that time has distinguished himself as a citi- 
zen worth}' of the highest esteem. Mr. Krebill was 
born in Prussia, on the 28th of November, 1822. 
His father, Frederick Krebill, was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and emigrated to the United States with 
his family, locating in Ashland County, Ohio, 
2 where he remained until his death (see sketch of 
- Peter Krebill). 

The subject of this historj- was a lad of ten j'ears 
old when his father settled in Ashland Count}', 
: Ohio, and he was there reared and educated, and 
: assisted his parents in the duties around the home- 
; stead. He remained under the parental roof until 
: the death of his father, and was afterward married 
; in Vermillion Township, April 7, 1846, to Miss 
Eliza A. Strickland, who was born and reared in 
Ashland County, of which her parents were among 
; the early pioneers. They were natives respectively 
; of New Jersey and Virginia, and removed to Ash- 
;; land County. Ohio, before their marriage. They 
: remained there after this event until the close of 
: their lives. They were most worthy and excellent 
: people, and their children received careful home 
; training and a good education in the public schools. 
; Mr. and Mrs. Krebill became the parents of 



eleven children, four of whom are deceased. The 
record is as follows: Fred H. was the eldest son 
(see sketch in another part of this work) ; Amanda 
is the wife of Theodore Krebill, of JlcPherson 
County; Joseph married Miss Selma "Weber, and 
occupies a part of the homestead; Nancy is the 
wife of George Sybe, of Reno County, Kan. ; Char- 
lotte is the wife of VM Weber, and lives in Mc- 
Pherson County, Kan.; William and Emma are at 
home. These children all received a good educa- 
tion, and were carefully reared by their parents. 
After his marriage, Mr. Krebill continued farm- 
ing in Ashland County, Ohio, until coming to Iowa. 
He has been enterprising and industrious, and is 
the owner of 2.50 acres of land, most of it under a 
good state of cultivation. He has a fine assort- 
ment of live-stock, comprising some of the best 
breeds known. The family are members of the 
Mennonite Church, of which Mr. Krebill has been 
an Elder for a period of twenty years. He has 
held the various offices of his township, and in pol- 
itics uniformly votes the Democratic ticket. 



FiHr^Hj 





*- 



«^*lf-<- 



J~ N ANIEL H. ANN ABLE, a dealer in cloth- 
)ll ing and gents' furnishing goods at Keokuk, 
<^ is one of the leading merchants in his line 
" in the city. He came here from New 

Albany, Ind., in 1852, and has made this his home 
until the present time, meeting with signal success 
in his business ventures. Mr. Annable was boru 
near Mt. Vernon, Ind. He received a good com- 
mon-school education, and at the age of fifteen 



ill 
ii 



'^'^11 



years began his mercantile career by entering a [i 
store as clerk for one Thomas Farsey, of Salem, <l 
Ind., and remained with that gentleman until his ■^L 
removal to this State. is 

On our subject's coming to Keokuk, he embarked 
in the dry-goods business for himself on the cor- ] 
ner of Third and Main streets, and there carried on 
his mercantile pursuits for a time, when he traded 
his stock of goods for a tract of land. The land 
for which he traded was a "squatter's" claim, and 
he finally lost it, and with it all he had. He was 
not to be discouraged by the loss of all his posses- 
sions, however, anti again went back to clerking 



t4 



■tTirrxittTmxrmrnmrTJi 



I XX ntn 1 rrxixxxm nxixt: 







1H4 



LEE COUNTY. 






this time for Mr. S. S. Hillinff. He romained with 
the l.iftcr geiitlerpun one yf;ir. when he took charge 
of ii clothing- business for sonx' [Kirtics living in 
New Vorii. jiftcr wliich lie derived for otiier parties 
in Keolvuk. Alioiil thi> time in lii.- llfeV history 
tiie bte Civil \\ nr In-oke ont .-ind onr snbject re- 
ceived .•! permit as a trade store-keeper. At Nat- 
chez he lost lii> stock of goods, and in f.-ict liis en- 
tire outfit. \>\ lire. This v.-as the second time tiiat 
our subject had lost all liis earnings, but. returning 
to Keokuk, he went to clerking again asan employe 
of Oscai- Kiser. a ilealer in dry-goods, remaining 
uitli tlii> gentleman for a term of eleven years, 
"lien lie pMi'chascd an interest in the stock of 
merchandise owned liy Sam Sample, and formed a 
partnership with Harry Knltou. This relationship 
w!is terminated Mt the expiration of a fen months 
by Ml. .\nn;dile purchasing the interest of Mr. 
liilioii. lie has since conducteti the business 
alone. Hi,- stock is a large and well selected one. 
and with many ye.ars of experience and fair and 
honest dealing, he h.ns made a large circle of friends 
and establisheil a good and paying trade. 

.Air. Ann.able was married to Miss Sarah Irvin in 
I H7.'3. Ilcf father .'ind mother died in Keokuk, and 
left foiii- children besides Mrs. .Aini.-ible. Mr. An- 
ii.Mble has served two terms as Aldcinian of the 
city of Iveokuk. lie is a Kepubli("in in politics. 
Mild ji.is a line residence on High street between 
Kightli and Ninth. 



^^^ of Ft. .M.-idison, and the so 
l^Ql .b'seph M. and .Sarah .J. Case 




ijp^ AHEIiT .M. CASEY is an ••ittoiney at law 

m of .Judge 
isey. He was 
born at Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa, Aug. 
2«. I.SoS, :iud when a child three years old re- 
moved with his parents to Ft. .Madison, of which 
city he has been a resident since that lime. His 
priin.iry ednc.ilioii was received in tho jjublie 
scliotils of the city, and after a course in the I-'t. 
Madison .■\ca<lemy. he commenced the study of law 
under the instruction of his eminent father. He 
was admittetl to the bar .May 1, issii. luiil became 
associated in partnership with his father, under the 
firm name of Casey .V- Cjisey. He was admitted to 



practice in the Supreme Court of Iowa and the 

riiitcd states C irciiit Court, and bids f;iir to eniu- 
l.'itc the example of his illustrious [larcnt. He is 
Ociuocr.-itic in politics, is popular in his vicinity as 
a jurist and an .•itlorriev. and has held the office of 
City Ch-rk of l-'t. .Madiscni since .March. IX.si. So- 
cially he is a Knight Templar, a member of the I. 
(). (). !■'. and K. of 1'. 



LMEU [). SKA MANS, one of the young- 
^ and enterprising- farmers and breeders of 

Short-horn cittle of .Mnrion Township, was 

born in this county on the 1 1 lli of .lanuary, 1)S()2. 
He is the only child of David and Lydia (Deha- 
ven) .Seamans. David Seamans was a native of 
New York, and first saw light near Fish Lake. He 
<'ame to this countj' about 1 .S40, while yet a single 
man. and settling on a farm engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. Later on in life he became a preacher of 
the Word, and was one of the recognized ministers 
of prominence in the Baptist Church. For many 
years he acted in the capacity of a pedagogue, and 
during the same time was occii|iicd in farming. lie 
(lied 111 .Vpril. 1875, leaving a wife and child, to- 
gether with many relatives and friends to mourn 
their loss. Mrs Seamans survives her husband, 
ami with our subject is engaged in cairying (.>n the 
farm in .Marion Townshii). 

Elmer Seamans was reared to manlnwd on his fa- 
ther's farm. He received a good education iu the 
common schools, and after the death of his father 
took full charge of the old homestead, which kc has 
successfully conducted until the present tirne. He 
has taken great interest in the bi'ceding of Short- 
horn cattle, in which he has met with signal suc- 
I cess. His breed are of the well-known family of 
•'(iolden Drop." They originated in Kentucky, 
and were brought to this county by Harvey Lusk. 
!Max, the bull, is a thoroughbred of deep fed color, 
and thiee years old. The dam. Lady Washington, 
is also a thoroughbred, iu ci)lor a deep, rich red, 
and both are as handsome bovines as are to be 
found within the boundaries of the State. They are 
registered iu the State Herd Hook, and in addition 
to these onr subject has iiumerous other fine cattle 







on his place. His attention has also been given to 
the breeding- of Pulancl-C'hina hogs, and liis breed 
is from tlie Oluo herd brought to this county by 
ffSJohn Blaclvford. The liorses to be found on the 
farm of our subject are of tlie Clyde and Norman 
stiR'k, and are much above the average. Mr. Sea- 
mans is mimarried, and he and his mother are the 
nly occTipanls of the faim. Jlrs. Seamans is a 
member of tlie Baptist Church, tii which denomina- 
tion she has belonged for upward of thirty years. 



•~^/\- -~<jLeiirE-J@^4 



*•^^a/^IcRI»\*■ ./x^rv. 




i.Ta 



F. DLJRFKK has been a resi<lcnt of the city 

of Keokuk for nearly forty years, his first 

arrival here being in 1850. During this 

time he lias been thoroughly identified with 

lithe interests of the Gate City, has watched its 

licorowth with pleasure and satisfaction, and has con- 

iffitributed materially to its business and industrial 

lac 

Mi interests. Me is now engaged as an undertaker at 

Ma No. 717 Johnson street, and carries a tine and taste- 
ijiful stock of his line of goods. He understands 
lit thoroughly all the details of the business, and is 
Q^Ki'iii ployed by the best class of citizens. 

Mr. Durfee is a native of Waj'ne County, Ohio, 
and was born Oct. 20, 1835. His i)arents were 
anies and Cynthia E. (.Soules) Durfee, natives of 
New York State. His father followed the milling 
business until the latter part of his life, when he lo- 
cated upon a farm in Ohio; thence went to Illinois 
in 18;{7, and purchased a large farm in Adams 
}=S County, being one of the most extensive agiicult- 
pur^srjj in that section of the country. He departed 
this life in I «44. and his wife, who had been the 
JS lifelong partner of his joys and sorrows, followed 
}i S him to the bettei' worhl two years later, in 1 •S4(i. 
C Their family consisted of nineteei' children, eleven 
f of whom are stil" living. 

The subject of our sketch was the Hfteenth child 

iof his parents' family, and until twelve years of age 

remained at home and attended the common 

schools. He tlieii went to i^tuincw and attended 

school there for four years. From there he came 

: ■ to Keokuk in |.S50, and served an a[)prenticeship 

■ at gnnsmithing, which he foll</wed for three years. 

He then liecame engagefi as ;i couti'acldr and 



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builder, and was thus occupied until 1871, employ- 
ing sometimes as manj' as forty men. After 
abandoning this he engaged in mercantile business 
for four years, after which he resumed his former 
business until 188(), and tiien established the busi- 
ness in which he is now engaged. 

Mr. Durfee was married in 1851) to Miss Marga- 
ret .1. Beeby, a native of Indiana, and of their 
union have been born eight children, two of whom 
are still living — Mai-i(jn F. and Maggie C. Mr. I), 
and his wife are connected with the Church of the 
Latter-Day Saints, of which he is an Elder. In 
politics he is inde])endent, and belongs to the Le- 
gion of Honor of Iowa and the Triple Alliance of 
Missouri. He is (me of the representative men of 
the city and highly respected foi- his ipialities as a 
business man, citizen, neighbor and friend. 

-j»S^ ^-^A 1^1^—^ ««=«^-> 

ITDGE IIENliV BANK, a resident of Ke..- 
kuk, was the first Judge to preside over the 
Superior Court which was organized in 
/ 1K83. In Ai)ril of the same year he was 
elected Judge of that court, and at once assumed 
the duties of his office, and is now serving his 
fourth year. Encomiums upon the ability of Judge 
Bank are not neces.sar3', his record as a Judge dur- 
ing the past four years being all that is needed to 
show the high ordei' of ability he pcj.ssesses. 

Henry Bank was born in the Kingdom of Han- 
over, Germany, Oct. '23, 1843, and came to the 
United States with his parents when he was but six 
years old. He was educated in early manhood in 
the (Jerman and English languages. In 1 849 the 
parents of our subject, Henry and Julia ((lalmacht) 
Bank, settled on a farm in Van Buren Township, 
this <'o(uity, where they are still living. There 
were seven children in the pai'ental family. Henry 
being the thiid in oi'der of birth. He remained on 
the old homestead with his parents until matur- 
ity, when he became engaged in a sawmill, and w:is 
occupied ill that business and the lumber trade 
from isiis until 1874. 

During the latter-named year our subject was 
elected Recorder of Deeds for Lee ('ouTity, which 






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186 



LEE COUNTY. 



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position ho acceptahlj- filled from 1875 to 1877. 
After this he entered the hnv office of Spragne and 
Gibbon, and read law until 1878, when he was ad- 
mitted to the bar. He continued to remain with 
his preceptors until the removal of Mr. (Jibbon to 
Chicago, and then practiced with Mr. Sprague until 
the spring of 1«81. During that j'ear he was 
elected Police Magistrate of the cit}^ of Keokuk, 
and after its abolishment and the establishment of 
the Superior Court, in 1883, he was elected Judge 
of the same, which position he now so acceptably 

fills. 

The marriage of .ludge Bank was celebrated in 
l.sC'.i. Mrs. IJ. is a native of Bavaria, and has 
borne our subject two sons and four daughters. 
Mr. and Mrs. liank are members of the Lutheran 
Church, and socially the Judge holds fellowship 
witli Lodge No. in;, 1. O. O. F. 



\1 ACOB WEBEIi, of Charleston Township, is 
pleasantly located on section 22, and is one 
of the prosperous and enterprising (German 
J farmers of this section, who have been 
closely identified with its agricultural and indus- 
trial interests. The subject of this sketch was born 
in (Jermany, Dec. 24, 181;!. and came to the United 
[States with his parents when an infant of eighteen 
months. After arriving in this country they pro- 
ceeded directly West to the Territory of Iowa, and 
located in Charleston Tuunship, where the father 
still resides. The wife and mother departed this 
life in St. Louis, Mo., about the year 184.5. 

Jacob AVeber lived at home with his parents until 
he was twentj' years old, and then, at the breaking 
out of the late Civil War, became a soldier of the 
Union, enlisting in the 3d Iowa Cavalry, and 
MTved for one and a half years. At a skirmish 
iirnr Memphis. Tenn., at a i)lace called White Sta- 
tion, he was taken prisoner by the rebels and held 
six months at Andersonville Prison, uv until the 
close of the war. After his honorable discharge 
from the service he returned to his home in Lee 
County,. and prepared to establish himself there for 
the future. He began his preparations by the cele- 
bration of a ver}- important event, viz., his mar- 



I 




riage with Miss Katie Wagner, which occurred in ; 
Franklin Township in 18G6. Of this union there 5 
was born one child, Katie, who died at the age of : 
three months, and his young wife departed this life - 
a short time later, in 1 868. 

The second wife of Mr. Weber, to whom he was ; 
married in Franklin Township in 186!), was Miss - 
Barbara Simon, a native of the last-named town- 
ship. Of this marriage there have been born seven 
children, two of whom, Johnnie and Hannah, are de- 
ceased. The living are August, John, Katie, Mar- 
tin and George. The parents are connected with 
the Evangelical Church, and in politics Mr. Weber 
is independent. 

Mr. Weber is the proprietor of 113 acres of val- 
uable land, all of which is tillable and most of it 
under a high state of cultivation. He has erected 
a fine set of farm buildings, which comprise a hand- 
some residence, good barns, stables and out-build- , .^^ 
ings, and all the conveniences for the storing of 
grain and the shelter of stock. He- is classed among 
the enterprising and energetic residents of this sec- j 
tion, and has amply filled his quota toward the de- 
velopment of its resources. 



R. W. BERTRAM, who is engaged in the 
practice of his profession at Keokuk, has 
his office at No. 616 Main street, and re- 
sides at No. 924 Concert street. He is a 
native of Prussia, Germany, and was born Feb. 26, 
1828. His parents, Chris F. and Pauline (Sayda- 
witz) Bertram, were also natives of that country. 
He was Surgeon General in the Prussian army for 
nine years, and died in 18.58, in his native land. 
His widow survived him two years, her death tak- 
ing place there in 1K60. Their children were six in eIji 
number, five of whom are yet living, and all resid- 
ing in their native land with the exception of the 

Doctor. BE I 

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Dr. Bertram was educated in the colleges of his HHi 

BEi 

native land, and commenced the study of medicine B[ 

in about 184;'). graduating in 184',). After receiv- 3i 
ing his diploma he foUoweil the practice of his pro- 3' 
fession until 1851, in the land of his nativity, and ^'■ 
then, coming to this euuntry. located at New Or- S 




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leans. There he continued in practice, and was a 
physician in the Cliarity Hospital in 1853, at the 
time the yellow fever was so severe in that city. 
His skill was recognized, and he was chosen City 
Physician, continuing to reside at New Orleans 
until 1858, when he went to St. Joseph, Mo. There 
he also continued in practice and met with success, 
and at the breaking out of the late Civil War be- 
came vSurgeon and Medical Director on behalf of 
the Union, and at various times had different hos- 
pitals under his charge. 

In 1872 Dr. Bertram became United States Con- 
sul for Montevideo, S. A., but the following year, 
in 1873, resigned the otfiee at a great sacrifice. IJe- 
turning to St. Joseph, Mo., he remained there for 
awhile, and then came to Keokuk, this county, in 
187G, and entered upon the practice of his profes- 
sion, since which time he has followed the same, 
and is now United States Examining Surgeon at 
that place. He is a member of the State Medical 
Societ3% and also of the Keokuk Medical Society, 
and socially belongs to the Knights of Honor. 
Dr. Bertram was married in 1854, to Miss W. Shoe- 
nam, a native of Germany, and their union h.as 
been blest by the birth of one child, Pauline. She 
graduated in Europe, in 1871. In politics Dr. B. 
votes with the Democratic part_v. 



ylLLIAM T. RANKIN is a prosperous and 
prominent attorney of law at Keokuk, of 
which city he is a native, and was born 
June '2!^, 1855. He is the son of J. W. and Sara 
(Thomasson) Rankin, and received his primary ed- 
ucation in the i)ublic schools of Keokuk, afterward 
taking a course at Monmouth College, Monmouth, 
111., whence he graduated in 1874. He then en- 
tered the Columbia Law School of New York City, 
which he attended one year, then returned to Keo- 
kuk, and pursued his law studies under the in- 
struction of the firm of Hagerman <fe McCrary, and 
was admitted to the bar in September, 1871), since 
which time he has practiced continuously, and was 
associated in partnership with J. F. Smith for about 
one year. He then received the appointment of 
Assistant United Stales Attorney, which position he 



still holds. In 1880 he became associated in part- 
nership with F. T. Hughes, and the firm is trans- 
acting a successful and growing business. 

Mr. Rankin was united in marriage with Miss 
Ilattie G. Morrison, in November, 1877. Mrs. 
Rankin is the daughter of David H. and Harriet 
Morrison, of Dayton, Ohio, and the date of her 
birth was Sept 8, 1857. Of her union with our sub- 
ject tliere have been born ftmr children — Louise, 
Lida, Edith and (4reta. 

Mr. Rankin has served as City Solicitor one 
year, and is attorney for the Lee County Building 
Association, and Keokuk & Western Railroad Com- 
pany, lie is also employed as counsel for several 
other leading corporations of Lee County. He is 
Republican in politics, a member of good standing 
of the Presbyteriau Church of Keokuk, and con- 
tributes of his means and influence to every good 
work .and purpose. He is one of tke esteemed citi- 
zens of Lee County, and as an attorney and coun- 
selor holds a high position in the profession in this 
section of Iowa. 



OSCAR PROUTY, a highly respected resident 
of Jackson Township, is a native of the 
^^ Hawkeyc State, and was born in Jefferson 
County, Oct. 29, 1841. His parents were Nathan- 
iel D. and Sarah A. (Mitten) Prouty, natives re- 
spectively of Vermont and Maryland. They were 
married in Jefferson County, Iowa, whence they re- 
moved to Lee County in about 1845, and became 
residents of Jackson Township. Here Nathaniel D. 
Prouty engaged in farming pursuits, and also op- 
erated the ferry between Alexandria and Keokuk 
for a number of years. He died in Jackson Town- 
ship in the spring of 1872; the mother still sur- 
vives. The parental family included fourteen 
children, four sons and ten daugliters, of whom 
Oscar was the second in order of birth. Only two 
sons and three daughters are now living. 

The subject of this history was a child of about 
three years old when his parents removed from Jef- 
ferson to Lee County. He received careful train- 
ing at the hands of his parents, and was educated 
in the common schools. During his early years 




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188 



LEE COUNTY. 



he assisted in the labors around the homestead and 
ill ninning the ferry with his father. He was 
trained to haliits of indiistrv and economy, and at 
an early age began Ic^ la^' hi!> plans for the future. 
He finally purchased 140 acres of land in Jackson 
Township in IHGf), which he has occupied since 
that time. This ho has continuously cultivated and 
improved, and has now one of the most valuable 
homesteads in this section, a view of which is shown 
on another page. 

The marriage of Mr. Prouty and Miss Sarah E. 
I'arkhurst took place Oct. 29, 1867, in Jackson 
Township. Mrs. P. was born in ftlarietta, Ohio, 
Oct. 17, 1848, and is the daughter of Moses and 
ah J. (Armstrong) Parkhurst, natives respect- 
ively of Massacimsetts and Ohio. They crossed 
the Mississippi into the Hawkeye .State in 1849, and 
came into Lee Count}', first settling in Keokuk and 
i afterward removing to Jackson Townshi]), where 
il they remained the balance of their lives. To our 
siil)jecl and wife have been born four children — 
Sfi May, Il.arr}' D., Maude L. and Bertha J. 
n]:: j] Mr. Prouty has taken an intelligent interest in 



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local matters, and held the various minor offices of 
his townshij). lie is Republican in politics, liberal 
ill liis religious views, and is known throughout this 
vicinity as a straightforward business man and a 
good citizen. 



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"ifJOllN J. SEAIJOLD is a resident of Jackson 
Township, where he was born May 3, 1850, 
and has always lived in this vicinity, en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. He received 
a limited education, bnt was trained to habits of 
industry and sobriety, and is the proprietor of a 
comfortable homestead, consisting of 120 acres of 
iLgood land, pleasantly located on section 1.5. The 
]} parents of our subject were George and Margaret 
J (Luber) Seabold. natives of Germany, who emi- 
i«3 grated from their native country, and after arriv- 
ing in the I'nited States proceeded directly to Lee 
County, Iowa, settling in Jackson Township, where 
the father engaged in farming until his death, 
whicli occurred in 1874. The mother still survives, 
;«3aii(l lives in .lackson Township. They were the 



parents of three children — Conrad, Condra and 
John J. 

The subject of (lur sketch was married in Mis- 
souri, March 9, 1882, to Miss Christine, daughter 
of (ieorge and Kate Arnold, and a native of Wnr- 
temberg, German}-, born Jan. 2, 18G0. Her parents 
emigrated to America when she was a child of live 
years old, and she received her education in the 
common schools of this county. Mr. and Mrs. 
.Seabold have become the parents of three children 
— Anna C, George J. and Kate A. The}' are mem- 
bers in good standing of the Evangelical Church, 
and in politics Mr. S. is strongly Democratic. 



/ OIIN TWEEDY, who is the possessor of 1 60 
acres of fine farming land on section 22, 
Montrose Township, came to the Hawkeye 
State in 1857. He conducts his farming op- 
erations skillfully and intelligently, and has been 
prosperous, having secured a competency. Mr. 
Tweedy was born in Ohio, Jan. 1.5, 1822, and is the 
son of Robert and Elizabeth (Morrison) Tweedy, 
natives of County Down, in the North of Ireland. 
They were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and emigrated 
from their native country to the United States in 
1817, making their first location in Butler County, 
Ohio. There they established a home and passed the 
remainder of their lives, the mother dying in 1846, 
and the father in 1872. The |)arental household 
included the following children : Ellen, now de- 
ceased, was born in 1810; Andrew died in 1886, 
at the age of seventy-four years; Grissella married 
a Mr. Kent; the fourth child, John, is the subjeet 
of our sketch; Jane, now Mrs. Wilson, lives in In- 
diana; Nathan died in 1853; Elizabeth is the wife 
of Mr. F. Harsman. 

The marri.age of John Tweed}' and Miss Eliza- 
beth Norris was celebrated in the Buckeye State 
Oct. 4, 1849. Mrs. Tweedy is a native of Ohio, 
born Jan. 27, 1823, her parents being James and 
Barbara (West) Norris, natives of Pennsylvania. 
James Norris died in 1855; his wife had preceded 
him to the better laud three years previously, her 
decease occurring in 1852. Their family consisted 
of the following-named childicn: Thomas, Henry 



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CARRIAGE FACTORY 




□ CARRIAGE FACTORY OF 5.T.W0RLEV & SON , COR. JOHNSON and y'liST! 

KEOKU K , IOWA . 



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LEE COUNTY. 




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(deceased), John, Henry (2d), James, Jacob, Rich- 
ard, Nanc}-, Mary, Hannah and Elizabeth. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy have been born eight 
children, the record of whom is as follows : Barbara 
Ann became the wife of William lawyer; Robert 
married Miss Armathia Newbury; Alice is the wife 
of William Phelps; Talitha and Hannah are un- 
married; Marj- became the wife of William Moon; 
the two youngest were John F. and Lottie L. Our 
subject and wife are the proud grandparents of 
thirteen children. 

Mr. Tweedy and family occupy a tine farm resi- 
dence, and the buildings around it correspond with 
the general apperance of the farm and its improve- 
ments. He is giving considerable attention to the 
breeding of fine stock, and has two thoroughbred 
Short-horns which are very valuable. His farm ma- 
chinery and appliances for stock-breeding are of 
a first-class character, and everything in and about 
tlie place denotes the superintendence of an exper- 
ienced and intelligent man. Mr. and Mrs. Tweedj' 
are members in good standing of the United Pres- 
byterian Cluircli of Summitville, and in politics 
Mr. T. is a reliable Republican. 

■^OHN G. BOYD, a prominent and successful 
farmer of Montrose Township, owns and oc- 
cupies a fine homestead on section 15. Mr. 
Boyd is a native of Ohio, and was born in 
Brown County, March 18, 1846, his parents being 
John R. and Elizabeth (Wardlow) Boyd, both na- 
tives of Ohio. John R. Boyd was born in 1817, 
and departed this life in 1881, in Iowa; he was a 
prominent man in his locality, was a member of 
the Christian Church, and belonged to the L O. O. F. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Boj'd was born in 1822, and is still 
living. Their liousehold circle included six chil- 
dren, as follows: Samuel L. married Miss Forman ; 
Martha became the wife of Mr. Canada; Lydia 
married Mr. Hurley ; the next son was the subject 
of our sketch ; his 30unger brother, Zack, married 
Miss Mary Colvin; Hattie died in liS.')4. 

John (i. Bo3'd was united in marriage with Miss 
Amanda Colvin, Oct. 2, 1870. Mrs. Boyd is a na- 
tive of Kentucky, born in 18.»2, and the daughter 



of William and Kate (Van Arsdale) Colvin, also 
natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have 
no children. Mr. Boyd came to Iowa in 1864. His 
farm embraces 230 acres of land, all improved and 
under a good state of cultivation. He is a promi- 
nent man in his community, and is regarded with i; 
the highest esteem by his neighbors and acquaint- 
ances. He is a member in good standing of the E 
Christian Church ; is Republican in polities, and a . " W 
member of Joppa Lodge N(). 136, A. F. & A. M., IP^ 
at Montrose. 




#>#► 



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EV. FATHER CHARLES F. HUNDT, 

priest of St. Mar3''s Catholic Church at 



Keokuk, has been a resident of this city 
^'^, since June, 1886, and was a resident of Ft. 
Madison for the past eighteen years, and during 
this period of an upright life and blameless char- 
acter has earned for himself the respect and esteem 
of all by whom he is known. He was born in the 
northern part of the Empire of Germany, Oct. 14, 
1855, and came to America with his parents, Henry 
and Catharine (Stolz) Ilundt, in 1868, when a 
youth of thirteen years. They landed in the city 
of New York, and immediatelj' proceeded west to 
Ft. Madison, Iowa, where they located permanently 
and still live. 

The subject of this history commenced attending 
school in his native country when six years of age, 
and continued until his departure for America. 
After arriving in Ft. Madison he entered the pub- 
lic school, and afterward took a classical course in 
the college at (^uincy, 111., from which he graduated 
after five years" study with the degrees of B. A. 
and A. M. He then entered the Theological Sem- 
inar}' at Milwaukee, and sjicnt another five years 
exclusively devoted to learning. Thence he re- 
turned to Ft. Madison, and was |)laeed in charge of 
the congregation of St. IVLary's. He afterward was 
removed to Neola in Pottawattamie County, where 
he continued until June 12, 1886, and then returned 
to his present charge. This parish includes sixty 
families and an average of 300 persons. He has 
filled tlie duties of his responsible positi(jn satisfac- 
torily and worthily, and although still a young man 



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192 



LEE COUNTY. 



tiffij- has esUiblislied for himself a fine rc|)utation hoth as 
a priest and scholar. 

A lithographic view of St. Mar3-'s Church is 
"' shown on other page of this work. 




PH 



R. .lOllN .M. ANDKKSOX is the pioneer 

physiciiin of tiic (Mil School In Liiui 

Cinuity. and was the first physician of this 

kiml to make a permanent location in the 

villao'e of MoiitroM'. lie ci'ossed tlir l'":ither of 

Waters in ls;i;i, while Iowa was yet a Territory, 



i] and with his |)arents came lirst to I)nliu(|ue. Mis 

jjjt?;|j) I father, not heing satisfied with the outlook, went 

1 liack to Illinois, and reni;iined there until 1 !^;36. 



Then he retraced his steps 



located in Xan 



iT Biiren Comity, Iowa, and in l«4(j came to Mont- 
}1 rose, which he maile his home until lii> death. 




W'^ 



Dr. John M. Anderson is a native of Monlgom- 
y ery County, Ky., the date of his liirth lieiug .luly 
II. ISIS. His parents were William and Francis 
(Anderstm) .\ndcrson. The father was horn in 
I7:mi, and depMi-tcd thi> life in .Montrose, in ISC;}. 
His wife, horn in 17!)(l, survived her husliand 
twelve years, dying in 1S7."). The parental house- 
hold consi>tcd of live children, of whom the record 
^^1 is as follows: Henry B. was a scjidier in the Mexican 
War and died in the army: B. F. died in Ft. Madi- 
son, Iowa, .some years ago; .lohu, the ^ullject of our 
sketch, was the second son; I. N. is deceased, and 
his remains are interred at Keokuk: H. B. went 
into the late war and has not lieeu heard from 

^^ The marriage of .lohn .\I. Anderson and Miss 
Klccta Miles was celebrated on New Year's Day, 
184:5. Mrs. A. was born Oct. s. isil), and is the 
daughter of David S. and Klecta Miles, a promi- 
nent family in N'lMinont, who left their native State 
and emigrated to Iowa at an early date in its his- 
tory. Of this union four children have been born, 
the record being as follows : Flora J. became the 
wife of C. M. Horn, who is now deceased; Lillie C. 
married L, V. Crane, and he is also deceased ; Jose- 
I phine and Frank 1'. are unmarried. These young 





peoi)le are well educated, being graduates of Mont- 
rose public schools. 

Dr. Anderson received his primary education at 
t^uincy, III., and while a young man engaged in 
teaching in Van Buren County, Iowa. He re- 
mained thus occupied for two j"ears, and in ls;'7 
engaged in the studj' of medicine in the office of 
Dr. Miles, of Vermont, with whom he remained for 
thri'e years. He entered upon the practice of his 
chosen jjrofe.ssion in Van Buren County, Iowa, re- 
moving to Lee County in 1844, He is a student 
of the regular Allopathic School, and in his profes- 
sional duties, covering a [)eriod of forty-two years 
in this localit}', has met with marked success, lie 
has been a [)rominent man in his county, and is now 
holding the position of Treasurer. He has also 
served as a mendier of the Iowa Legisl.atnre for 
two terms, the duties of which oflicc he trans- 
acted with great credit to himself and satisfaction 
to all concerned. He was first elected on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket, and was his own successor in the of- 
fice the second term by the votes of both parties. 

Dr. Amlerson has been Alayor of .Montrose for 
eight terms, and has served ,as .histice of the Peace 
for fifteen years. The educational interests of this 
vicinity have received material aid at his hands, he 
having served as ScIkmjI Trustee and occupied 
other important positions among the educational 
interests of Lee County. .Socially he is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., and has received .all of the de- 
grees of the Subordinate Lodge of that order. He 
also belongs to the A, F. & A. M., has taken the 
Royal Arch degrees, and filled the Chair in the 
East, in Blue Lodge, for several years. Religiously 
he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and politically is an uncompromising Dem- 
ocrat. 

When Dr. Anderson first came into the Hawk- 
eye .State, it was a Territory, peo|iled princijially 
bj" wild animals and Indians, the .Sacs and Fo.ves 
being very numerous. He witnessed the stabbing 
of Keokuk by one of the Blackhawk tribe, and 
dressed his wounds, and upon more than one oc- 
casion he had conversation with Black Hawk, the 
celebrated chief. The experience of this honored 
\ old pioneer would fill an interesting volume, and 
the changes which have transpired since he first 



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crossed the Father of Waters have been witnessed 
by him with intense satisfaction and delight. Not 
only was he a witness of the development and 
growth of the Hawkeye State, but he assisted nia- 
teriallj' in the advance of civilization in this sec- 
tion by his sensible and intelligent advice and his 
more material aid whenever opportunity afforded, 
and as one of the band of choice and brave spirits 
who first assisted in marking out a path for civili- 
zation, he is held in peculiar veneration and re- 
spect. 




E 



E\. S. F. WIELAND, Rector of .St. James 
Catholic Church at St. Paul, in this county, 
'i W is a native of Dungannon, Columbiana Co., 
lOhiii, and was born Oct. 1, 1842. He has 
been finely educated, pursuing his studies at St. 
Mary's College, Cleveland, Ohio, St. Charles Col- 
lege near Baltimore, Md., and St. Francis Seminary 
in Milwaukee, Wis., completing his course in the 
latter. His first charge was at Lj'ous, Clinton Co., 
Iowa, where he remained six and one-half years, 
and the next was at Baur, Marion Count}', this State, 
In April, 1884, Rev. Mr. Wieland came to .St. Paul 
and took charge of his present church, which un- 
der his ministrations has greatl}' flourished. Not 
only has he succeeded in building up the congrega- 
tion at this place, but he has also assisted in build- 
ing and furnishing one of the neatest church edi- 
fices in the count}'. He is genial and courteous in 
manner, and this, together with his talents and 
learning, have made bira a favorite in this com- 
munitj', where he is highly esteemed by all classes, 
both within his own charge and among the other 
denominations. 



-— ^^-^^^^t^il^^^^- 



eHRISTlAN ROCKEY, of Charleston Town- 
ship, has been a resident of Lee County 
since 1845, in which year he came to this 
section with his parents, John and Elizal)eth 
Rockey. They were natives of Germany, who 
after their emigration to the United States, settled 
first in Ohio, and thence came to Iowa, making 
their home in Lee County, where they remained 



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until their lives terminated. Our subject was born 
in Montgomerj' County, Ohio, in October, 1841, 
and after coming to Iowa lived in Lee Count}' un- 
til 1864. He then went to McLean County, 111., 
where he remained for one year, and then enlisted 
in the !(4th Illinois Infantry, serving one year 
afterward until the close of the war. 

Mr. Rockey then returned to Lee County, and 
on the 2.5tli of October, 1W6G, was married, in Har- 
rison Township, his wife's birthplace, to Miss Ju- 
lia Schweer, who was born Oct. a, 1S44. Her par- 
ents were Comad and Caroline Schweer, natives of 
Germany, who emigrated to America in 1830. came 
into Iowa and located in Harrison Town.ship, where 
they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rockey have become the parents of seven 
children, six of whom survive — William. Lizzie, 
Fi'ank, Frederick. Minnie and Otto; Allie died 
when an infant five months old. 

Mr. Rockey is Democratic in politics, and takes 
an active interest in the moral and educational 
welfare of his community. He has been School 
Director and Road Supervisor, and in other re- 
spects enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fel- 
low townsmen. His homestead comprises eighty 
acres, with a good residence, barn and outhouses, 
and he and his family are surrounded witli all the 
comforts of life. 





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HARLES L. BECKER, of Keokuk, a promi- 
nent factor in the business community of the 
^/ city, is successfully engaged in trade, dealing 
in hardware, cutlery, iron and wagon material, agri- 
cultural implements, cement and plaster, his place 
of business lieing located on Main street. Mr. 
Becker is a native of the (ierman Empire, and was 
born on the 17th of February. 1836. In accordance 
with the laws and customs of his native country he 
entered school at an early age and remained until 
fifteen years old. He then sailed for America, land- 
ing in New York City, whence he shortly pro- 
ceeded to Schenectady, and engaged as a broom- 
maker for the following five years. In l.s.'iO he de- 
cided to try his fortunes in the new West, and 
made his first entrance into the Gate City. He en- 



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194 




LEE COUNTY 



gajjefl witli tlif linn ul' C'a(l\, .Imio? it I'l'ck, witli 
whom lie reniaiiipd as clerk for eighteen months, 
gaining the approval and confidence of his eniplo}'- 
ers. He was then sent by them to Alexandria. 
Mo., to take charge of their branch store there, and 
at the end of four years purchased the .stock and 
continued the liusincss on his own account until 
^^ .Marcii. 1881, wiien he removed hisstock to Keokuk, 
lO^ and located where he is still carrying on the busi- 
il! ;:jl!i ne.-is. The building which he occupies is four stories 
ll|::illi ill hciirlif. •JSvH.'j feet iu area, aud built of brick, 
eellent warerooni, and the establish- 



I ^liii in height, 28x8.i 
L Hill lie lias iui excel 



began to lierd .sheep, and. iu fact, employed him- 
self at whatever he could liud to do which wfiuld 
assist him in making his own way Mini pniNiilintr 
for himself. 

.Vfter arriving at 3'ears of manhood .Mr. llcll w;is 
united in marriage with Miss Jane Emerson, their 
wedding occurring on the 1st of May, I8i57. On 
the 24th of the same month the young couple em- 
barked upon a sailing-vessel which hail just been 
launched, and was bound for (Quebec, Canada. 
They landed at Buffalo, N. Y., and thence pro- 
ceeded to Portsmouth. Ohio. From there our 



nieiit throughout is supplied with all conveniences ; subject came westward to Morgan Coiiiily. III., and |;i 

stopped for a time with his uncle, John Thompson. 55 } 

He was then employed bj' him, and after about g.!ji 

three years crossed the Mississippi and came into pi 



for the successful transaction of wiiolesale and 
tail business. 

M r. Becker was married in llsG.'), to .Miss Delia 
Slaughter, of Keokuk, who was born in Lee County, 
and by Iht union with our subject has become the 
niotlier of l»o daughters — (iladius and S.ndie. 
They occiiiiy a pleasant and attractive home, and 



Lee County, Iowa, locating in Marion Township. p[ 

on section 30. Here our subject rented a small St 

farm of 140 acres for a time, and then purchased ;^[ 

it, paying $7 per acre. The money which he paid :|i} 

3i> 



ij riiey occiiiiy a pleasant ai 

u our suliject, both socially and as a business man, is ! over to secure possession of this he had borrowe'. a|} 
held in the highest respect by his neighbors and and paid 20 per cent interest. I'poii the farm was 3|} 

I a.s.sociates. Mr. Becker, be 

J served as Councilman of 



Mr. Becker, before coming to Keokuk, 
Alexandria for twelve 
years, and was JLayor of the city four years. Po- 
litically he is identified with the Democratic party, 
and socially belongs to the Masonic fialcriiity and 
the I. (). O. F 



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'\¥ OlIN llICl,!,, one of the lioiioicd pioneers of 
PM Lee County, is also one of the oldest resi- 

I [!l|i , dents of ^L•lrion Township. He came from 

(^yjl Morgan County, 111., to this section in the 
spring of 1840, and at once identified himself with 
the interests vif his adopted State. He ha- built 
up for liimself a good record as a man .iiid citizen, 
iiiiil is one of the most valued members of the com- 
i niunily. Mr. Bell is of English aneestiy .-iiid |)ar- 
yentage, and was born June 21, ISl,"). lli> parents 
were John and Mary (Chaniplin) Bell, who were in 
limited circiimstanees in their native England, and 
reared their son to habits of industry and economy. 
Hi- early advantages for an education were ex- 
tremely limited, as he was thrown upon his own 
resources at the early age of nine years, when he 





<inall log house, in which Mr. Bell and his family 
resided for seven years. They endured many 
privations and hardships, being compelled to travel 
long distances to mill in order to obtain necessary 
provisions. But our subject was prospered in his 
labors, and in due time found himself on the high 
road to prosperit}'. As his profits accumulated he j:} 
[lurchased more land, and finally became the owner S':\ 
of 1,000 acres, a large part of which he has now S 
divided up among his three children: Isaac was a 
one of the pioneers of Cedar Township, and still | 
resides there; Robert remains on the homestead | 
with his [(areiits; William resides in Donnellson, Sj 
ami nuns :i farm in Franklin Township. | 

.\lr. Bell and his wife liavi' lived together for a j; 
period of forty-nine years, and both are still active 5| 
and in good health. When they first I'aiiie here | 
Indians were iiunierous and often [la.sseil in close 9j 
proximity to their cabin home, but never injured a 
or molested them. At the time of their niarri.age i 
they had only money enough to bring them to the I 
Fnited States, and our subject presents a line illus 
Iratioii of wliat may be .Mceoinplished by 



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now in possessii^n of a fine jtjj 




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1 competency for his old age. He has retained 240 gjli 

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LEE COUNTY. 



acres of his land, and the present snf)stantial family 
residence, wliicli was luiilt of brick thirty-eialit 
years ago, is still in a good state of |)reservati<)n. 

Mr. Bell has been prominently connected with 
the affairs of his township since its oi'ganization, 
and assisted in Imilding the first school-honse ; 
Monroe Reid. mow a resident of Keoknk,and known 
as Col. Reid of West Point, was the first teacher 
emploj'ed in that primitive strnctnre. This also 
served as a voting-place and for the holding of re- 
ligious services, and camp-meetings were held in 
the woods, being attended by everybody from the 
surrounding country who could get there. In pol- 
itics our subject, formerly an old-line Whig, now 
affiliates with the Democratic party. 



0'^ .OAI-I BAILP^Y, one of the largest land-own- 
/ ers of Des Moines Townsiiip, occupies a fine 
., homestead near the village of Yineennes on 

section 21. He located in this township in Octo- 
ber, 1851, making his first settlement on section 33. 
His first purchase was 424 acres, which he occupied 
for man}' years. lie removed from this in 1883, 
settling upon his present homestead, where he has 
erected a fine dwelling-house, one of tlie best in 
the township, has excellent barns and out-buildings, 
costly farm implements and machinery, and all the 
appliances of a first-class agriculturist and stock- 
grower. Before coming to this township he had 
been a resident of Clark County, Mo., one j'ear. 
His landed possessions in Lee County now comprise 
about 7(10 acres, most of which is improved. He 
also owns in Clark Countj\ Mo., l.l.jO acres; the 
most of this is also under good cultivation. He 
has considerable fine stock, but makes the growing 
of corn a specialty. He feeds annually from 100 to 
800 head of cattle, and exhibits some of the finest 
fat stock in this part of the Hawkey e State. 

Mr. Bailey is a native of the Buckeye State, hav- 
ing been born in Pickaway' County, Feb. 18, 1811). 
His father, Robert Bailey, was a native of Yirginia 
and a farmer liy occupation, and was married in 

^^ his native State to Miss Maria Coonrod. also born 

ip; 

ijl and reared in Yirginia. After the birth of four 

I :ii4 

ijS children tlie^' went to (Jhio. and afterward there 




were .added to the family circle nine more little 
ones, eleven of whom grew to years of maturity. 

The subject of our sketch was only one j'ear old 
when the family, then six in number, went to Knox 
County, Ind.. and settled eighteen miles north of 
\'inccnnes, on the Wai)ash River, in a new house 
built in the midst of the timiier. They lived there 
for some years, making improvements and clear- 
ing the land about them. After a time young 
Noah, being of an ambitious and adventurous turn 
of mind, felt anxious to start out for himself and 
see something of the world. He consequently pro- 
ceeded to St. Louis, and in course of time was 
joined there l)y his father and mother. In the 
meantime he had been married and become the 
father of two children. In the month of July, 
184i», the cholera epidemic attacked the family' of 
.Mr. Bailej' with fatal results. At that time he lost 
bis wife, father, and two small children, Samuel M. 
and .lames A. There also died two young men 
who were in his employ, Edward Conor and Levi 
Adams. These all died within the space of nine 
days. The mother of Mr. Bailey had departed this 
life about four years previous!}'. The maiden name 
of Mis. Noah Bailey was Emily J. Fulks; she was 
a native of Tennessee, born and reared in Monroe 
County, her parents being natives of South Caro- 
lina. 

The calamity which had visited JMr. Bailey left 
him in an almost desperate frame of mind, and he 
felt that he could no longer remain in tlie vicinity 
which constantly reminded him of those whom he 
had lost by death. He consequent!}' removed from 
there and went into St. Franeisville, Clark Co., Mo. 
In due time he was there married to Miss Harriet 
A. Lyles. who was l)orn in Alabama, and when a 
young child removed with her parents to Indiana, 
wlience they went to Missouri. Sirs. Harriet Bai- 
ley became the uK^tlier of nine children, and de- 
jwrted this life in Des Moines Township, May 31, 
187;"). Before the deatli of the mother, six of her 
children had ])assed to the land beyond, those re- 
maining being William E., Moore R. and J. T. 

After his second inaniagc IMr. Bailey went over 
the plains to Nevada, where he was engaged for 
some time in the cattle business. He was married 
tlie third time at Pioche, Lincoln Co., Nev., Dec. 



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LEE COUNTY. 



15, 1875. to Mrs. Sarah E. (Fulks) Sowders, a sis- 
ter of lii> rn>l wife, also born in Monroe County, 
I'lini.. .lime 12, 1.S40. Her parents were .John and 
Maitii.i ('riiouii)sun) Kiilivs, wlio were married in 
Monroe Conntj', and died in Missouri. Mrs. S,ii;di 
!•;. liailey was reared fnjm childiiood in St. J^ouis 
County. Mo., and was there married to her first 
husband, Jacob Sowders, who was a native of In- 
diana, but reared mainly in Crawford Count}', Mo. 
He was a farmer ]>}• oeeupatidu. ami of tlieir union 
there were born four ehildren, one of whom is de- 
ceased. The living are .Sarah E., .Mattie S. and Ln- 
cinda. By her marriage with Mr. Bailey there was 
liorn one chilil. Emma E. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are iiighly res|)ected in tlieir 
eomnmnity, and members in good .standing of the 
•Methodist Episcopal Churcii. In politics Mr. Bai- 
ley is strongly Republican, and uniformly casts his 
vote in support of the principles of that party. 



«- 



-^ 



1/ OX. HENin HOFFMAN TRIMBLE is of 
i-emote (Jerman descent, his parents, .lohn 
and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Trimble, having 
Teuti^nic blood in their veins. His grand- 
father was a soldier of the Revolution. During his 
boyhood his father, who was a carpenter and farmer, 
lived successively in Rush, Shelliy and Decatur 
Counties, Ind., where Heiny farmed until sixteen 
years old. He received his educali(jii in Franklin 
College, in the State University at Bloomington, 
and at Asbnry Universit}- in Greencastle, gradu- 
ating from the last-named institution .lul}- 21, 1H47. 
He defraj-ed his own expenses bj- teaching and 
other work. From college he went directly into 
the Mexican War, serving one year in the 5th Indi- 
ana Volunteers, .lanu-s Lane, Colonel. On his re- 
turn he rea<I law, fust with Eden II. Davis, of 
Shelbyville, then with Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks. 
His father came to Iowa in 1848, and he followed 
a year later, going to Bloomfield, Davis County, 
and was admitted to the bar April 29, 1850, by 
Hon. .1. F. Kinney at Keosauqna. He was County 
Attorney from 1851 to 1855, and State Senator 
from 1855 to 185U, being at the last session held at 
Iowa City and the first held at l)cs .Moines. Li 




July, 1861, he entered the array as Lieutenant 
Colonel of the 3d Iowa Cavahy, and served until 
the Itth of .September, 1863, when he was dis- 
rliaigcd on .account of a wound in the f.aee, re- 
ceived at the battle of Pea Ridge. 

In October, 1862. Col. Trimble was elected Dis- 
trict Judge of the Seccmd District, and served four 
years. Judge Trimble was President of the St. 
Louis (k Cedar Rapids Railwaj' Companj', during the 
building of the road north to Ottumwa, and also as- 
sisted in the building of the Burlington & South- 
western. Judge Trimble has a National as well as a 
State reputation as a Democratic politician. He was 
twice a candidate for the Supreme Court, once be- 
fore the Legislature, and once before the people, in 
1863. He w.as a candidate for Congress in the 
First District against Gen. Curtis, reducing the 
[ usual Republican majoritj' more than l,-2()() votes, 
and in 1872 ran for the same office against William 
Loughridge, and ran 5,000 votes ahe.-vd of Horace 
Orcelcy, presidential candidate. 

.hulge Trimble has been President of the State 
Bar Association, and was the Democratic candidate 
for (iovernor in 1879, against John IL Gear, Re- 
publican. The Judge is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and a believer in Christianity, although 
not belonging to an}- church. He was married at 
Shelbyville, Ind., April 5, 1849, to Miss Emma M. 
Carruthers, a native of Wheeling, W. Va. They 
have five children, all living. P.almer, the eldest, 
being now assistant attorney of the railroads of 
which the Judge is the general attorney. Since 
1881 the Judge has been wcn'king for the Chicago, 
Burlington Ai (:^uinc3' Railroad. He is now gen- 
eral attoi'ney of what are called its Keokuk roads, 
having his homo and headquarters in Keokuk, 
Iowa. The following estimate of the judicial abil- 
ity of Judge Trimble was written by a member of 
the Iowa bar: 

••.ludge Trimble stands in the very first rank of 
the Iowa l)ar. He has l)een highly successful in the 
|)ractice, and has fully earned his success by his in- 
dustry and ability. Li the service of his clients he 
is an untiring worker, never ceasing the investiga- 
tion of a case until he feels that he full}' under- 
stands every proposition of law and fact involved. 
His mind is eminently practical in the best sense 



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LEE COUNTY. 




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of that term. By this it is not meant that he cither 
neglects or undervalues the science or the theory 
of the law, but that he carefully considers and cor- 
rectly estimates all the elements that maj- have a 
bearing upon the fate of his case, both tlieoretical, 
and also such as are often called practical as distin- 
guished from theoretical. Me has an unerring 
judgment as to the true position to take in a case, 
and as to the real value in the minds of Courts and 
juries of the various positions talcen b^- himself and 
his adversaries. This, of course, is greatly aided 
by careful and thorough-going preparation. 

"He is an eloquent speaker. His manner is not 
such as superficial observers ordinarily suppose ac- 
companies and constitutes eloquence. It is quiet 
and unassuming, but effective. His eloquence is 
of the kind that directs the minds of his hearers 
not to himself but to his subject or his case. Tiiey 
are not so apt to remark upon the fineness or the 
eloquence of his speech, as upon the justice of his 
case. Thus, upon one occasion, when his adversa- 
ry's address had been elaborate and higlily orna- 
mented, one of the jury after a verdict had been 
rendered in favor of Judge Trimble's client, said: 
■That young man made much the finer speech, but 
the old fellow was right.' This is the highest trib- 
ute that can be paid to eloquence. It has alread}- 
been stated that he does not neglect the theorj- of 
the law. AVhenever he meets an important legal 
question that does not seem to be settled, or upon 
which there is a conflict of authorit3' or that he 
does not fully understand, he is not content to 
leave the question until he has mastered it, even 
although the case in which it arose is at an end. 
His investigation of such a question, too, is often 
much broader tlian the case in hand requires. He 
first diligently collects all the authorities he can 
find on the subject, noting carefully wherein they 
agree and wherein thej' differ. He then carefully 
weighs them, not merely- relying upon the words in 
which the rules are stated, but in the light of the 
fundamental underlying principles. Before he has 
done with it he usually has obtained a masterful 
grasp of the subject. He then puts aw.iy his brief of 
the principles and authorities governing the sub- 
ject, for use whenever it comes up again. 

"He is thus constantly a student, and his practice 



thus becomes a steady progress in the mastery of M 
legal principles. His mass of briefs, properly in- li 
dexed for reference, would be a valuable possession 
for any lawyer. It is out of this laborious, thorough 

and careful investigation- that he derives his ex- E 

= if 

haustive knowledge of the law, and his readiness ' 
and clearness in stating his propositions to the iM 
Court, and in distinguishing the principles ap- 
plicable to the case from others not applicable 
but claimed to be so. This is one great element of 
his admitted success.'" 




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AVID BKKLKlv. a well-known resident of 
ij Franklin Township, is an honored pioneer 






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of this section and a representative farmer 
of Lee County, of which he has been a 
resident for the last half centurj'. He has been an 
interested spectator of remarkable changes along it^^j 
tlie Mississippi \'alley, and has aided materi.ally in 
the development of this section of country, not 
only Ijy his own example of energetic industry, but 
by being willing to lend a helping hand to his 
brother pioneers in their struggles for the estab- 
lishment of homes in tlie wilderness. 

]\Ir. Beeler was born in Montgomery County, 
Ind., !?ept. 11, 1823. His father, Isaac Beeler, was 
of Swiss ancestry', but a native of Tennessee, de- 
scended from progenitors who came to the United \ n 
States more than 100 years .ago. Isaac Beeler, Sr., 
the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary AVar, and lived to an advanced age; 
he was connected with the command of Gen. Har- 
rison, of Indiana, and was with the old hero at the 
battle of Tippecanoe. His son, Isaac, Jr., served 
as a private in the War of 1812. Neither the 
father nor the grandfather of our subject received 
any serious wounds from the enemj- during their 
military career, the latter dying peacefully at his 
home in Tennessee. 

Isaac Beeler, Jr., w.as reared and educated in his 
native State of Tennessee, and there married Miss 
Jane Hughes, who was born and reared in his own 
locality. After the birth of one child they re- 
moved to Indiana and located in Montgomery 
Count}', where were born to them ten additional 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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cliildren, ami where they remained until 1836. In 
tliat yc!U- the father decided to cross the Missis- 
sipiti, 1111(1 .accordingly, with his f.amily, ni.ade the 
trip ill .siifcty, and hjcated in Iowa on the site of 
what is now Harrison Township. The land was 
wild iuiil miiiiiiii-fivcd, and the little home in the 
wilderness was siirroiiiided on all sides b}" Indians 
Mud wild animals. 'I'licy were prepared, however, for 
all the emergencies of the enterprise, and resolved 
to establish here a periiiaiient home, wh.'itcver the 
diflicnlties might be. They improved the land, 
and in time were rewarded l)y the picture of smiling 
fields and growing giniii. Here the parents re- 
mained the balance of tiieir lives, and were peace- 
fully laid to rest in a lot on the old homestead. 
Isaac Heelei had become the owner of 1,100 acres 
of land. During the existence of the Whig party 
he was an adherent of its princi|)les, and when this 
party w.-is abandoned he associated himself with 
liie Kepiiblicans. 

David Heeler was the seveiiUi i^liild of his par- 
ents' f.'imily, and remained with them until his mar- 
riage, which took |)laee in Henry County, Iowa, 
.lunc 10, IH;')!, his bride being Miss Mary J. Har- 
ness, a native of the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. The 
father of Mis. Heeler, .lohn A. Harness, was a 
farmer by occupation, and came to Iowa in 1845, 
when his daughter, .Alary J., was a child of twelve 
years old. They located in Lee County, thence 
removing to Henry County, where they lived for 
mail}' years, and rinally reuKJved to Van Hureii 
County, w'here the lives of the parents terminated. 
,Iohn A. Harness was an industrious and energetic' 
man, and was higiily respected in his loiality for 
his excellent traits of character. Mrs. H. remained 
with her parents until her marriage, receiving care- 
ful home training. I5y her iiiiion with our subject 
she has become the mother of six children, the 
3 record of whom is as follows: Amanila .1. is the 
1 wife of F. ■]". McKeehan, a farmer of I'owell County, 
I Neb. ; .1. .1. lives in the village of Doiiiicllson; 
Hattie K. is the wife of O. L. I'owell, of Marion 
Towiishii), Lee County; Ida is at home assisting 
her parents; Anna is the wife of Abel Slaughter, a 
farmer of Franklin Town.ship; 1). F. is the manager 
of his father's homestead. 

Mr. ISeeler is the possesst)r of nearly 100 acres 



of land in Franklin and Harrison Townships, most 
of which is under cultiv.ation. lie is a valued citi- 
zen, and takes an interest in everything pertaining 
to the welfare of his community. In politics he is Siii 

3i 1 

strongly Republican, and uniformly ctists his vote Sj:i 
in sup|)ort of the jiriiiciples of that party. Siii 



->-^=»!^»-^Gi^-^'ff5.^-<J- 




RS. MARGARKT BRINKMAN, the widow g 
of Frederick Brinkman, is a highly es- 
teemed lad}', and a resident of Keokuk. 
Her husband was a native of Germany, 
and emigrated to America with his mother when 
but a child of four years old, his father having died 
in his n.ative land. She proceeded westward, and 
crossed the Mississippi, making her first location in 
the Gate City, and here her son was educated. 
Upon leaving school he went to St. Louis and 
learned the hatter's trade, and after completing his 
apprenticeship and making a short sojourn in 
(^uincy, HI., engaged with his brother, John W., 
ill general merchandising at Keokuk. After a time 
their stock was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Brink- 
man became a clerk for Speicsperger & Co., where 
he remained for fifteen j-ears. In IS.SO he went 
into business for himself, becoming associated in 
|)artneiship with Frank Slienk, and they carried on ^{ 
business under the firm name of Brinkman & Shenk jj? 
until 188(1,. when they dissolved partnership by 'M 
mutual consent, and the decease of Mr. Brinkman \f.[ 
occurred M.ay 1.5 of that j'ear. He was an excel- 
lent business man, an affectionate husliand, a kind 
father and a good citizen. He was a member of 
the Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F., and in 
politics was strongly Republican. 

Mrs. Margaret Brinkman is the daughter of 
Frederick and Kunigunda (Luber) Breitenstein, 
natives of (Terinany, who emigrated to America 
in 1844, and settled at Keokuk, where Mrs. B. was ^ 
born, Sept. .'), 1848. They engaged in farming in 
Harrison Township, Lee County, and remained 
there until ISMG. The decease of the mother oc- 
curred in is.s;!; lier death was occasioned by be- 
ing thrown from a wag(^(n. The parental family 
consisted of eleven children, nine of whom are liv- 
ing, as follows: Klizabetli, .Mrs. Tiuiiip. lives in 



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Missouri; Margaret resides in Keokuk; Henry, in 
Lee County ; Fred and Herman, in Louisville, Neb. ; 
Dan, in Lincoln, Neb. ; Flora, Alice and George, in 
Keokuk. Mrs. Brinkman became the mother of 
four children — Walter, Carrie, Arthur and Carlisle. 
They occupy a comfortable residence at the cor- 
ner of Tenth and Bank streets. 



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LJf prosperous 
'^7\y a gentlemai 



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ILLIAM M. BASSETT, a popular and 
s merchant of Charleston, Iowa, 
tleman of enterprise and energy, is 
conducting his business in a straightforward and 
honorable manner, aud enjoys a large and steadily 
increasing patronage. He came to Iowa while it 
was still a Territory, and has been a resident of 
Lee Count}' since the fall of 1854. During this 
lung period of years he has built up a good reputa- 
tion as a business man and a citizen, and is classed 
among the valued members of the community. 

Mr. Bassett is a native of the Empire State, hav- 
ing been born in Lewis County, Aug. 23, 1820. He 
is the son of Nathan and Rhoda (Merry) Bassett, 
natives respectively of Martha's Vineyard and 
Connecticut. The}' settled in the .State of New 
York soon after their marriage, and remained there 
the balance of their lives. Nathan Bassett was 
a carpenter by occupation and also engaged in 
hotel-keeping. He and his wife became the par- 
ents of six children, five sons and one daughter, 
William being the fifth in order of birth. 

William Bassett of our sketch received his early 
education in the common schools of the Empire 
State. He was a bright, ambitious boy, devoted 
to his studies and anxious to excel. At an earl}' 
age he became fitted for a teacher, and followed 
this profession for a period of five years in the State 
of New York. In the fall of 1 843 he crossed the Mis- 
sissippi and came into Mahaska County, Iowa, where 
he resided for two years, thence removed to Van 
Buren Count}', and remained there for about eight 
years, still pursuing his occupation as a teacher. 
In the fall of is.ii he came into Lee County, and 
l)urchasing a farm in Charleston Township, en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits for twenty-one years 
or until the fall of 187;'), when he rented his farm. 



and purchasing a stock of goods established his 
present business in the village of Charleston. His 
stock consists of a large assortment of general 
merchandise, and his trade extends throughout the 
county. His farm comprises 263 acres, the greater 
part of which is uudergood cultivation. It is supplied 
with a good set of farm buildings aud all the appli- 
ances for the prosecution of agriculture after the 
most approved methods. 

The marriage of William M. Bassett and Miss 
Eliza Chantry was celebrated in Van Buren 
County, Iowa, on New Year's Day, 1845. Mrs. B. 
is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Van Bu- 
ren County, Iowa, with her parents, in the spring 
of 1837. She is the daughter of Thomas and Han- 
nah (Passmore) Chantry, natives respectively of 
England an<l Pennsylvania, who were among the 
early pioneers of this section. Mr. and Mrs. B. 
have become the parents of nine children, of 
whom one, John, died at the age of eighteen 
months; those living are Constantine S., Thomas 
N., Malvina, How.ard E., Lewis A., George M., 
Chris E. and Annette. 

Mr. Bassett has been prominent in the affairs of 
his township and actively interested in everything 
pertaining to its welfare. He has been connected 
with the School Board, and was appointed Post- 
master under President Hayes in 1870, which office 
he held for ten years. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and was connected with the Congregational 
and Methodist Episcopal Churches for about 
twenty years, but at the present time is not a mem- 
ber of any religious denomination. 



^yp«lRNST BURSTER, an energetic and enter- 
lU] prising citizen of Ft. Madison, and the man- 
/ |L-j : ager of Concordia Brewery, is fulfilling the 
duties of his position with much credit to himself 
and satisfaction to all concerned. He is a native 
of Ft. Madison, and was born Nov. 27, 18G3. His 
father, Anton Burstei-, was born in Wurtemberg, 
Germany, Oct. 20, 1825, and received his early ed- 
ucation in his native country, remaining at school 
most of the time until he was fifteen years of age. 
His father, the grandfather of our subject, was an 




:^i 



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•202 



LEE COUNTY. 



m 



architect, and under his instruction Anton Burster 
also hecaiiie at adej)! at tliat profession. At the 
rtge of twenty-two years he emigrated to America' 
and procee<li'd directly to Cliicago, from there to 
St. Louis, thence to New Orleans, and after a brief 
sojourn in the C're.scent City, came to Ft. Madison 
in 1H.')1. [le here liecame a contractor aTid builder, 
and followed his occupation successfully until 186.i, 
when he erected a brewery and engaged in the 
manufacture of lager beer, lie was thus occupied 
until his death, which occurred .Ian. 2r,, IftHo. He 
was a man of great energy and industry, and promi- 
nent in the p\d)lic affairs of this locality. He was 
a mcTuber of the City Council for many years, and 
ranked among the best citizens here. 

The parents of our subject were married in Ft. 
Madison. Dec. 10, 18.53. His mother, before her 
marri.ige. was Miss Augusta Henneberg, a native 
of Anhall-Heruburg. Of this union there were 
born nine I'hiidren, six of whom are living, as fol- 
lows — Adolpli. Otto. .lulius. Louise, Ernst .and 
Emma. 

Since llie death of his father Mr. Burster has sat- 
isfactorily niaiiaged the extensive business inter- 
ests of his mother, with whom he has always lived. 
He is unniMiiicd. lie possesses rare business tal- 
ents, ami his friends predict for him a jxisition of 
importance among the industrial interests of this 
locality. A portrait of Anton Burster, father of 
our subject. a|)i)e.ars on another page of this book. 



11 



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^^i|! comfoi'table home 




=!»SEOR(tE trump, a respected (Jernian citi- 
eston Township, occupies a 
estead on .section l,and by 
his habits of industrj-, economy and straightfor- 
ward d I'M ling, has earned the respect and esteem 
'>{ the community in which he lives. Mr. Trump 
«:i< born in (Jcrinany in l.sit;, and came to Amer- 
i.:i wlicu ;i young man twenty-three years of age, 
^■^ proceeiliug directly' westward to Lee County, 
Iowa. He nnidc his first location in Charleston 
Township, and upon llic tiieory that a rolling 
stone gathers no moss, has contimied to live here 
since that time, and has been prosi^ered in his un- 
dertakings. His farm consists of ninetv-nine acres 



of good land, upon which he has erected a com- 
fortable residence and a good barn and out-build- 
ings. 

Mr. Trum)) wa> married in Montrose Township to 
Miss Catherine Seyb, a native of his own country, 
who was bt)rn in 1K2I, and emigrated to America 
with her parents when a young girl fourteen years of 
age. Mr. and Mrs. Trump have become the parents | 
of nine children — Jacob, Mary, (^eorge, Christine, | 
Dorothea E., Chester T., Henry A., Peter E. and | 
Michael. Mary became the wife of Jacob Best, «, 
and died in Charleston Township in January, 1884; J: 

Sir I 

Dorothea E. is the wife of Fred Fischer, and resides |<y 
in Charleston Township; she is the mother of one 
child. Bertha M. Mr. T. is Republican in politics, 
and religiously he and his wife are connected with 
the Evangelical Church. 



•y e *- 



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W^ 



^fJOIIN WARE, a member of the Board of 
Trustees of Cedar Township, and a highly 
respected citizen, is (me of the early settlers 
of the Ilawkeye State. He crossed the Mis- 
sissippi while a mere youth, with his parents, and set- |f| 
tied in Iowa when it was yet a Territorv, and in l^} 
watching the remarkable growth and development 
of this section of country has identifie<l himself 
thoroughly with its interests and materially' assisted 
in bringing it to its present condition.' 

The subject of this history is of English birth ||{ 
and parentage, born in Yorkshire. Feb. 3, 1830. 
His father, James Ware, was a native of the same 
shire as his son, the date of his birth having been 
Nov. 3. 1799. At the age of seven years James 
Ware commenced the duties of life as a coal miner, 
and remained in the mines until 1843, when ill- 
health compelled him to abandon this occupation. 
He then purchased a small stock of goods and en- 
gaged in peddling for the two following years. 
But he was not satisfied with his ccjndition or pros- 
pects in his own country, .and resolved to emigrate 
to the United States, which seemed the "land of 
promise" for the enterprising and energetic 3'oung 51} 
man. Accordingly, in the month of Februarj', : 
184.5, he set sail from London, accompanied by his : 
wife and four children, and landed at New Orleans ^ 



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after a voyage of seven weeks and four days. 
Quite a part3' of Englishmen had come over at the 
same time under the auspices of the Englisii Mu- 
tual and Emigrant Societ3', and thej- all left New 
Orleans and, striking camp at Keokuk, Iowa, sent 
out a committee of three to select a suitable loca- 
tion for settlement. This committee selected the 
east half of section 32 and west half of 33 in Cedar 
Township. Here the Ware family settled, and in 
due time the sons purchased land, and the parents 
lived with them the remainder of their lives, the 
father dying Feb. 12, 1853, and the mother surviv- 
ing him until 186S, when she too passed to the si- 
lent land. The latter, before her marriage, was 
MLss Ann Wilson, and her birthplace was in York- 
shire, near that of her husband. The parental 
household consisted of four children, as follows : 
William, the eldest son, went to California in 1852, 
and died there eleven j^ears later; Charlotte mar- 
ried Mr. Atkinson, of Cedar Township, and is now 
deceased ; John, our subject, was the third child ; 
Isaac lives in Van Buren County, Iowa. 

John Ware at the age of nine years went into a 
coal mine, and was engaged in drawing the loaded 
cars to and from the shaft until old enough and 
strong enough to work as a miner. At this latter 
occupation he received the munificent salary of 
twenty-eight cents a day, and, it may be supposed, 
was joyous with hope at the prospect of a different 
life in a new country. He was fifteen years of age 
when he came to America with his parents, and for 
the first two years after reaching this section he 
lived with his uncle, John Ware. He then en- 
gaged with a Mr. Maloy who was carrying on a 
sheep farm. At this labor he received $G per 
month for six months, and then worked for one 
year, at the close of which he received $100. The 
second year his salary was increased by $44. He 
remained with this gentleman nearly three years, 
and being economical and industi'ious, and saving of 
his earnings whatever he could, he soon found him- 
self possessed of sufficient means to become a real- 
estate proprietor, and purchased eighty acres of un- 
improved land in Franklin Township. He at once 
commenced the improvement of his purchase, 
which he sold at a good profit, and in March, 1853, 
purchased the homestead which he now occupies: 



it consists of 195 acres, all tillable and under a good 
state of cultivation. He has a fine farm dwelling, 
good barns and out-buildings, valuable farm ma- 
chinery and implements, and all appliances of a 
first-class agriculturist. Besides the home farm he 
has twenty acres of valuable timber in Van Buren 
Conntj'. 

John Ware and Miss Jane Lightfoot were united 
in marriage in Harrison Township, Fel). 21, 1856. 
Mrs. W. was a native of Manchester, England, and 
daughter of John and Mary Lightfoot, of English 
birth and parentage, who emigrated from their na- 
tive Country to the United States, and settled in 
Lee Count}' at an early period in its history. By 
her union with our subject Mrs. Ware became the 
mother of five children, as follows: Mar^' A., Mrs. 
Kennedy, is a resident of Polk County, Iowa; J. 
Berry lives in Harrison Township ; J. Frank is a 
resident of Kansas; W. Chase and Alice J. are at 
home. Mrs W. departed this life July 5, 1875. 
Mr. AV^are was married the second time, Sept. 20, 
1879, to Mrs. Albertine Taylor.- This lady was 
born in Salem, Henry Co., Iowa, Feb. 27, 1849. 
Her first husband was John Q. Baugher: he died 
Dec. 3, 1875. Of this union there were born three 
children — Margaret, John L. and Rosana. 

Mr. Ware has been for many years prominently 
connected with the affairs of this township, and 
has taken great satisfaction in witnessing its prog- 
ress financially and educationally. He has been 
the stanch friend of sobriety and morality, and has 
contributed generously of his time and means for 
the promotion of every worthy enterprise. He has 
been connected with the School Board, and promi- 
nently identified with all measures tending to cult- 
ure and education. He is a striking example of the 
self-made man, having begun at the foot of the lad- 
der, with indifferent prospects before him, .but by 
his own persevering industr}' has climbed up step 
by step, and is now enjoj'ing the well-merited re- 
ward of his early endeavors. To such men as Mr. 
Ware is due the rapid growth of the wide West 
and the march of her industrial and agricultural 
interests. For his earlier labors and his efforts in 
behalf of his community, he is now enjoj'ing the es- 
teem and confidence of his townsmen and the fruits 
of a well-earned competency. 




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204 



LEE COUNTY. 




GRACE C. SARGENT, an honored pioneer 
of tho Ilawki'ye State, and one of the lead- 
ing farmers of Des Moiiie.s Township, owns 
and occupies a fine homestead on section 
."if. He crossed the Father of Waters in 1839, and 
came into this section while the prosperous com- 
monwealth of the present day was but a Territory', 
liiiiily po|)ulatod and abounding in wild animals 
and Indians. The changes which he has witnessed 
would (ill a volume, and he has watched with 
great satisfaction the progress and advancement of 
his adopted State. 

-Mr. Sargent is a native of the old Granite .State, 
his birth taking place Sept. 14, 1834. His father, 
Nicholas .Sargent, was a native of Essex County, 
.Mass.. of American parentage and New England 
descent. He was a farmer by occupation, and was 
married in the county of his birtli to Miss Eriam 
.Sawyer, a native of New Hami)shire, and also of 
New lOngland parentage and descent. After their 
marriage they located on a small farm in Essex 
County. .Mass., wlience they removed to New 
Ilainpsiiire, where the father engaged in farming 
and lumbering, which he pursued while a resident 
of New Hampshire, or until 183,'). The parental 
I'auiily now included twelve children, and they all 
c-ame overland West with teams. They were de- 
tained for a time in Indiana on account of the 
sickness of some of the members of the family, and 
early in the following spring they went into Ray 
("ounty, .Mo., where they settled on a small tract of 
1m ml. which they occupied for three years. Thence 
tiiey lenioved to Clark County, Mo., living there 
one year, but on account of political trouble and 
the agitation of the slave question (Mr. Sargent 
being totally opposed to the peculiar institution), 
were obliged and also determined to leave the 
borders of a pro-slavery region. 
3 On leaving Missouri Mr. Sargent came into Lee 
1 County, Iowa, and settled on a "squatter's" claim 
I of KJO acres in what is now Des Moines Township. 
I It was then a desolate region, wild and unbroken, 
and was located in what was known as the " half- 
l)reed tract" on the second bottom of the Des 
.Moines Kivcr. The land had not yet come into 
market, and il was (piestionable for some time as 
to who w<]iilil become the actual owner. But the 




JbiJ^LUM 



| : ^ . ^p;;p^^a § 



father and his sons began the improvement of the 
land and were successful from the first in their 
operations. It needed a vast amount of determin- 
ation to be able to endure the privations and to 
engage in what almost seemed a hopeless task, but 
they had come to stay and there was no thought of 
abandoning their first project. They soon began 
to realize the reward of their labors in the picture 
of smiling fields and growing grain. The soil 
yielded plentifully, and although the business of 
marketing consumed much time and was exceed- 
ingly laborious, they soon found themselves pos- 
sessed of su/Hcient means to add to their landed 
possessions. Their further purchases consisted 
mostly in prairie land lying along the Des Moines 
River, which was of excellent quality and exceed- 
inglj- fertile. They finallj' became jiossessed of 
about 1,.500 acres, which has been kej)! in the fam- 
ily until this time. 

Nicholas .Sargent departed this life Jul3' 23, 
187'J, at the advanced age of eighty-three years 
and three mouths. He was a man greatly respected 
by his neighbors and acquaintances, and possessed 
of generous imjiulses and high morality. Upon 
coming here he identified himself with the interests 
of his adopted State, and did much toward the 
development of this section of the country. He 
always took an intelligent interest in politics and 
cast his vote uniformly' with the Republican party. 
The faithful wife and mother survived her husband 
about six years, departing this life April 5, 1885, 
at the home of her son, our subject, having arrived 
at the .age of eighty-seven and one-half years. She 
was a dutiful mother, an affectionate wife, and 
deeply mourned bj' a large circle of friends. 

Horace Sargent was the youngest but two of his 
parents' family of thirteen children. He was but a 
child when his (larents crossed the Father of Waters 
and located in the new land which has since been 
affectionately designated as the " Hawkeye State." 
He remained with his parents until he was tw-enty- 
four years of age and was then united in marriage 
with Miss Adeline D. Washburn, in Des Moines 
Township, in 18a8. Mrs. Sargent is a native of 
the Province of (Quebec, Canada, born at Lands- 
down, in 1 830. She was but a small child when 
her parents removed to the Province of Ontario, 



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l?:e county. 



; and lived at home until she became a young woman. 

: She then came to the United States with an elder 
sister, and they located in Iowa, where she passed 
the remainder of her life, her death occurring 
April 10, 1883. She became the mother of six 

; children, three of whom are deceased. The living 
are, Orson G.. who married Alta M. Newberry, 
and is engaged in agriculture in Des Moines Town- 
ship; Edwinne B. and Edwin are twins; the former 
remains with her father at home and during school 
sessions pursues her studies; Edwin is attending 
the law school at Iowa Citj' preparatory to the 
practice of his profession. The deceased are 
Frances and Frank (twins), who died in infancy, 
and Charles, who died at the age of one year. 

Soon after his marriage, the subject of this notice 
began to cultivate a part of his father's farm, upon 
which he has lived ever since, lie isalsotiie owner 
(if C40 acres of land, most of which is improved. 
In addition to iiis farming pursuits he is extensively 
engaged in the breeding of fine stock, in which he 
has been remarkably successful. He is a leading 
citizen of his township and has filled most of the 
local offices within the gift of his townsmen. Po- 

- litically he affiliates with the Republican party, 

E and is a man wiiose opinions are highly valued in 
all matters pertaining to the welfare of the com- 
munity. 

'F_^ ON. ABSALOM ANDERSON, a prominent 
and successful farmer of Harrison Town- 
ship, owns and occupies a tine homestead 
on section 17. He is a native of Mar^dand, 
and was born in Anne Arundel Countj-, Sept. 14, 
1809. His parents were Joshua and Sarah Ander- 
son, natives of the same State as their son. The 
birth of Joshua Anderson occurred on the 29th of 
March, 177;j. When a 3'oung child lie removed 
with his parents from his native State to Ohio, 
which afterward remained his home, and where he 
departed this life March 5. 18.59. Mrs. Sarah An- 
derson was born March 22, 1785, and died in Ohio, 
Feb. 1, 1879. She was a most excellent lady, and 
an active member of the Christian Ciuirch. They 
lived upon a farm their entire life, and became the 
|i.iients (^if ten children, of whom tlie record is as 





follows: William married Miss Riley; Absalom, 
our subject, was the second son ; Elizabeth, now 
deceased, became the wife of Uriah Campbell: "^ 
Henrietta, now Mrs. McVay, lives in Morgan 
County, Ohio; Robert married Miss Bateman, and 
they are both deceased; Joshua married Miss 
Cochren, and they are residents of Missouri ; Maria, 
Mrs. Taylor, also lives in Missouri ; John first mar- 
ried Miss Botts, and after her decease married JMiss 
Schrake ; Thomas was married in early manhood, 
and Jlaranda became Mrs". Campbell. 

Absalom Anderson and Miss Flora Sissna were 
united in marriage Nov. 13, 1834, and became the 
parents of seven children: Thomas J. married Miss 
Robinson; William H. was a soldier in Co. B, 3d 
Iowa Vol. Cav., and died of a congestive chill 
while in the army, at Helena, Ark.; George N., 
also a member of the same companj', was killed at 
the battle of Pea Ridge; Robert C, a member of 
Co. A, 19th Iowa Vol. Inf., served three years in 
the army, and at the end of that time was honor- 
ably discharged, and returned safely home; Oren 
J. is unmarried ; Mary J. became the wife of Mr. 
Claypole, of Muskingum County, Ohio; Hugh T. 
died in infancy. The faithful wife and mother 
departed this life July 18, 1849. 

Mr. Anderson was married the second time, June 
23, 1850, to Miss Emeline Coleman. Of this mar- 
riao-e there were born two children : Ira married 
Miss Carver and lives in Harrison Township; Dorr, 
while in the employ of Hoyt ife Co. of Chicago, 
died of quick c<msumption. The mother of these 
children, Mrs. Emeline Anderson, died Sept. 17. 
18G9. 

The third wife of .Mr. Anderson was Mrs. May 
N. Manhard, to whom he was married Nov. Hi, 
1871. She was the widow of Peter Manhard, a 
native of Maryland, by whom she became the 
mother of three children: Elinora, who died at the 
age of eight months; Mary, who died at the age of 
eleven months, and Eugene, who married Miss 
Missouri Jackson, and lives in Van Buren County. 
Iowa. Of the last marriage of our subject there 
have been no children. 

The younger days of Mr. Anderson were passed 
uiion his father's farm. He graduated from the 
common schools after reaching the Single Rule of 




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206 



LEE COUNTY. 



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in in Pike's Arithmetic. After attaining his ma- 
jority, he worlvcd in a tobacco factorj* in Ohio for 
three 3'ears, at the end of wliich time the man with 
ivhfini he was in partnersliii) absconded, taking with 
him the assets of the concern. Mr. Anderson suf- 
f<Ted considerable loss from tliis affair, and resolved 
to seek his future fortunes in the West. He crossed 
the Father of Waters in 1H41, and coming into 
Iowa while it was still a 'ronitory, purchased 1(!0 
acres of huid, to which he has since added until he 
is now the owner of 440 acres, which constitutes 
one of the most valuable farm estates in this lo- 
cality'. 

Froui the lime of coming here, .Mr. Anderson 
has been prominently identified with public matters, 
being at once acknowledged as a leader on .account 
of his decided views, force of character, and 
straightforward methods of doing business, lie 
served eighteen 3'ears .is Justice of the Peace in 
Harrison Township, and there was seldom an ap- 
peal from his de<'isions. He was elected to the 
Iowa Legislature in 1874, has been County Super- 
visor one term and School Director for a period of 
twenty-live years, lie is a straight Republican in 
politics and uniformly casts his vote in support of 
the principles of that party. Mrs. Anderson is 
prominently connected with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. They occupy a tine dwelling, and Mr. 
Anderson has a good barn and all the outhouses 
necessary for the storing of grain and the shelter 
of stock. He has a v;duable assortment of farm 
implements and machinery, and the estate is fur- 
nished with all the appliances for the carrying on 
of .agriculture and stock-raising in a first-class 
manner. Mr. Anderson is a Director in the Farm- 
er's and Tr.ider's Hank of Bonui)arte, in \'an Buren 
C'fiunty; also a heavy stockholder of the same. 




eHAKLES BROWN, Su., one of the honored 
pioneers of Lee County, came to this sec- 
tion of country before Iowa had been ad- 
mitted into the Union as a State, and has conse- 
quently witnessed remarkable changes. He was 
one among those brave si)irits who courageously 
made a settlement in the wilderness, and by slow 



degrees opened up a farm and established a home- 
stead. He is now the possessor of 450 acres of 
finely cultivated laud, .S20 in .Montrose Townshi)), 
and occupies a comfoitalile two-stor^' farm resi- 
dence, has good barns and out-lmildings, valuable 
farm machinery, and everything retpiired for the 
prosecution of agriculture and stock-raising in a 
first-class manner. 

Mr. Brown is a native of Penusylv.ania, born in 
Fayette County, Dec. 28, IS^G, and is the son of 
Richard and Sarah ((iaus) Brown, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. Richnrd Brown was born .June 23, 
1799, and departed this life March 2, 18C,.t, in 
Iowa; Mrs. Sar.ah (!. Brown, born in ISO.!, pic- 
ceeded her husband to the better land thirteen 
j'ears, her death occurring in January, 18.t2. The}- 
were the parents of the following children : Josiah, 
born Jan. 15, 1821; Orplm, Oct. 5, 1822; Richard 
and Ephraim, twins, Aug. 29, 1824; Charles, the 
subject of our sketch, Dec. 28, 182G; Jonathan J.. 
March (5, 1829; Francis A.. April 24, 1830; Rich- 
ard G., Sept. 17, 1832; Le Roy, April 24, 1834; 
Rufus R., Oct. 12, 183(;; Martha R., Feb. 12, 1839. 
Of these children but five are now living. 

The subject of our sketch was united in nuir- 
riage with Miss Sarah Parks, March 26, 1850. Mrs. 
Brown was born March 20, 1833, and was the 
daughter of Frederick and I^ucy (Dean) Parks, na- 
tives of Putnam County, N. Y. They emigrated 
from their native State to Iowa in 1844. and re- 
mained here until the close of their lives, Mr. Parks 
dying in 1872, and his wife nine years later, in Octo- 
ber, 1881. They were the parents of the following 
children: Elizabeth became the wife of John Bar- 
ber; ?>ederick was a soldier, and died in the army; 
Jerome was killed in .Montrose; Luc}- m.arried Will- 
iam Jones. 

Mrs. Sarah Brown departed this life Nov. l.'i, 
1881, and her remains are interred in Montro^e 
Cemetery. She h.ad been connected with the 
church of the Latter-Day Saints for a number of 
years. Of her union with Mr. Brown there were 
the following children: (ieorge E., born Jan. 15, 
1851, m.arried Miss Wealthy Reeves, and lives in 
Reno County. Kan.; Sarah N., born Oct. 23, 1852. 
became the wife of L. Schouley, and also lives in 
Reno County, Kan.; Charles, Jr., bom .Inly 2, 



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LEE COUNTY. 







1855, married Miss Mary Scott; Frederick, born 
Oct. 18, 1857, chose fur his life partner Miss Ar- 
cena Andrews; Mary B., born Aug. 27, 1859, died 
.luly 19, 1879; Le Roy was born Jan. -li. 1861. and 
ni.arried Miss Ada Martin; Richard, born March 
7, 1867; Addie, Nov. 11, 1869; Minnie E., Feb. 1, 
1875; two children died in infancy unnamed. 

Mr. Brown came to Iowa in 1844, making his 
first location at Ft. Madison, where he remained 
one year. He then removed to Mahaska County, 
lived there one year, and then returned to Lee 
County, where his father purchased land. He was 
for a time engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in 
1850 crossed the plains and the Rock}^ Mountains 
with an ox-team to California, where he engaged 
in mining along the Yulia River. He was quite 
successful in his search for the yellow ore, and in 
the space of one year became the [tossessor of 
ij!l,360, and, being (^uite satisfied with his expe- 
rience in those regions, concluded to retrace his 
steps homeward. He returned by the Nicaragua 
route, coming across that hike a distance of sixty- 
five miles in a canoe, and making the trip in twelve 
hours' time. Since that time he has been to Cali- 
fornia twice, once in 1877, when he remained three 
months, and again in 1883, visiting friends there. 
With the exception of his wanderings in the West 
he has been a resident of Lee County since 1844. 

Richard Brown, the father of our subject, fol- 
lowed farming pursuits for a number of years, and 
then became engaged as a stock-dealer. He pur- 
chased cattle and sheep in Ohio and drove them 
to the Philadelphia market. On -.account of the 
decrease in the price of stock, he lost a small fort- 
une, and then determined to cross the Mississippi 
and seek his fortunes in the \\'est. Here he also 
met with losses and other difficulties, and, after re- 
siding in various parts of the State of Iowa, he be- 
came discouraged and started back to Pennsyl- 
vania. When he had proceeded as far as the point 
on the bluffs about opposite to Nauvoo, then tlie 
prosperous city of the Latter-Da}' Saints, he was 
induced to purchase from m Mormon a claim of 
16(1 acres. This land was located about five miles 
from Nauvoo, and Mr. Brown at once set to work 
to make improvements upon his ()roperty. It oc- 
cured to him tiiat n pnblic-hou.se was the thing- 




most needed then in that locality, and he accord- 
ingly erected the building which was known as 
Brown's Tavern, and which afterward became so 
famous in the West. His fortunes now began to 
mend. He proved a success as " mine host," was 
straightforward in his dealings, and courteous and 
obliging in his manners, and his house became the 
favorite resort of travelers in that section. There 
he remained until I860, n period of seventeen 
years, and accumulated a competency. He de- 
parted this life after his retirement from active 
business, in 1865. 

Charles Brown, Sr., the subject of this biography, 
is a prominent man in his community, and held in 
the highest respect. He is greatl}- interested in 
educational and chuich matters, has been connected 
with the Baptist Church for a number of years, 
and is Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He 
has been a member of the Board of Supervisors for 
two terms, and was once arrested by Judge Drum- 
mond, of Chicago, for contempt of Court, because 
the County Board refused to levy a tax for the 
payment of interest on railway bonds; so the body 
proceeded to levy the tax, and IMr. Brown was re- 
leased from the hands of the Government officers. 
He has been prominent in the affairs of his town- 
ship and county, and in politics uniformly cists his 
vote in support of the principles of the Democratic 
party. 

RTHUR C. CATTERMOLE, a highly re- 
spected resident of Ft. Madison, after a 
useful and busy life, is now siiending his 
later years retired from active labor and 
enjoying the comforts of a pleasant home, sur- 
rounded b}- a large number of warm friends. Our 
subject is a native of London, England, and was 
born July 31, 1829. His father, James C. Cat- 
terinole, was born in Suffolk, England, and his 
grandfather, a native of the same shire, was en- 
oau-ed in agricultural pursuits in his native coun- 
try the greater part of his life. 

.James Cattermole, in the spring of 1832, left his 
native country and set sail for the United States. 
After a safe voyage he landed ujjon American 
shores, and proceeded directly to Cincinnati, Oliio, 



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LEE COUNTY. 



where he located and remained for four years. 
Thence he removed to Hancock County, 111., and 
en{,'age(l in farming until 18.51, when he crossed the 
Mississippi into Ft. Madison, and made his final lo- 
cation, remaining there until his death in 18C2, 
after he had arrived at the .advanced age of eighty- 
one years. Wlicn !i young man he was married in 
his native England to Miss Naomi Tillett, also of 
Suffolk County. .She came to the United States 
witii her iuisband, accompanied him westward to Ft. 
Madison, and preceded him to the better land in 
I. Hill, at the .age of seventy-five years. She was a 
11^^ I most worthy Christian lady, a faitiiful wife, mother 
fjT'Jir' and friend, and iironiiucntl}- cimnected witli the 
U Hl^ Epi.seopal Chuixii. 

Tlie parental family of our subject consisted of 
nine children, of whom five are still living. The 
eldest is Dr. .James Cattermole, of London, On- 
tario, Canada; George is a merchant of La Harpe, 
111.; Emma is the widow of Phillip Aspinall,of De- 
troit, Mich.; Elizabeth is the wife of Ileiuy Catter- 
mole, now of Ft. Madison ; the subject of this sketch 
is the youngest child. 

Mr. Cattermole of this l)iograpliy w.as in tiie third 
year of liis age when he came to America with his 
|);irents, and in Ills seventh year when they moved 
to Hancock County, 111. There he grew to man- 
Ij liood and assisted liis father in the improvement of 
ills farm, renuiining with his parents initil within 
one year of their removal to Ft. Madison, during 
which time lie w.as emjjloyed as a clerk for Peter 
Miller of this cit^y until 1H52. He then went to 
Alexandria, Mo., where he took charge of the 
wholesjile and retail (hy -goods and grocery store of 
Thomas Fitzpatrick until I.s.tD. He then returned 
to Ft. Madison, and in partnership with his cousin, 
Ilenr}' Cattermole, engaged in the groceiy trade 
and pork-packing business, under the firm name of 
H. & A. C. Cattermole, which eontiiuied until 
I 871. Our subject then purchased the interest of 
his partner and continued the business alone. After 
«!la few j-ears he disjjosed of his grocery stock, and 
contiuned the pork-p.acking successfully until 1882, 
wiien lie also abandoned tills. lie then became in- 
terested in real estjvte, and also a stockholder of the 
(Jerman-American B.ank of Ft. Madison, of which 
institution he is iii)\v one of tin; Directors, and 



which he has assisted in bringing to its present solid 
position among the banking institutions of the 
State. 

The marriage of Arthur C. Cattemnile and Miss 
Carrie Wilson was celebrated in St. Louis, Mo., 
Nov. 1 1 , 1 8G9. Mrs. C. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and is the daughter of Robert and Mary Wilson, of 
Scottish parentage and descent. Their family (con- 
sisted of twelve children, three onl_y t)f whom are 
now living: The eldest. Mar}', is tiie widow of 
James L. Brown, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Flizabeth is 
the wife of Capt. T. II. Orifllth, of .St. Louis, Mo.; 
Mrs. C. vviis the youngest of the household. 

Mr. and Mrs. C. are regular attendants of the 
Episcopal Church, of which the latter is a member in 
good standing. They have become the parents of 
two children, Robert W. and Charles A., the latter 
of whom died at the age of two years. They oc- 
cupy a pleas.ant residence on Third street, and are 
surrounded by all the comforts and many of the 
luxuries of life. Mrs. C. is a lady of kindly Chris- 
tian character, held in the highest esteem by her 
community. Mr. C. is a Democrat in politics, and 
in all respects is fulfilling the duties of a good citi- 
zen, casting his infiuence as opportunity occurs to 
[iromote the cause of nionility and education. 



7A.MF:s McQUADE, of Keokuk, has a snug 
little homestead in the Second Ward, con- 
sisting of fifteen acres of land devoted to 
small fruits and orcharding, and a handsome 
residence, furnislied with .all the appliances of con- 
venience and comfort. Mr. Mctjuade is a native 
of Scotland, and was bofn Dec. .'51, 18.'3;i, his par- 
ents being Samuel and Ellen (Walker) Mcl^uade, 
of Scottish ancestry and parentage, who spent their 
entire lives in their native country, and are there 
biu'ied. Their family' comprised seven children, 
five sons and two daughters, of whom .James was 
the second in order of birth. He was reared i)y his 
parents in bis native Scotland, and at the .age of 
seventeen years emigrated to this country, making 
his first k)eation in Orange County, N. Y. He re- 
moved from tliere to Keokuk in March, 18,57, and 
was subsi'i|Meiitly ('niplo3e(l on the Des Moines \'al- 



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LEE COUNTY. 



ley Railroad for twenty-eight years, in different ca- 
pacities. He was for twelve years in the machine- 
shops, and for several years was night despatcher. 
After leaving the railroad he located upon his pres- 
ent homestead, a view of which is shown in this 
work, and has since been employed as a horticidt- 
urist. 

Mr. McQuade was married in Newburg, N. Y., 
Oct. 15, 1850, to Miss Louisa Palmer, daughter of 
Solomon and Margaret (Williamson) Palmer. jNIrs. 
McQ. was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., Oct. 
16, 1833. and by her marriage with our subject has 
become the mother of eight children, whom we 
briefly record as follows : John S. is engaged in 
gardening at Keokuk; Samuel Edward is a fireman 
on the St. L., K. & N. R. R. ; Alice died in Keo- 
kuk in 1880, at the age of sixteen years; two died 
in infancy ; James, Charles and Robert are at 
home. 

Politically Mr. McQuade is a stanch Republican, 
and socially is connected with Eagle Lodge No. 12, 
A. E. & A. M. He is an intelligent and thorough 
business man, and very successful in his present pur- 
suits. 



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<^7AMES W. NEWBERRY is an honored pio- 
neer of Des Moines Township, and an exten- 
sive landed proprietor, general farmer and 
stock-grower. He is the owner of 1,117 
broad acres of land, and occupies a fine farm es- 
tate on section 8. He came to Iowa when a young 
man in 1838, accompanied by his parents, and has 
witnessed remarkable changes since his advent, 
having alwaj's thoroughly identified himself with 
the interests of his adopted State. He has assisted 
materially in the development of this section of 
country, and because of this is held in the highest 
esteem by his county and community. A part of 
his land, 312 acres, lies in Scotland County', Mo. 
It is mostly improved, as is also his land in this 
township. 

James W. Newberrj' is the fourth child of his 
parents' family, and was born in Orange County, 
N. Y., Dec. 'J, 1817. He was therefore nearly 
twenty-one j^ears of age when he arrived with his 



parents in this county, and soon afterward com- 
menced life on his own accouiit. About his first 
business was to secure unto himself a life partner, 
and he was shortly afterward married to Edith A. 
Benedict, a native of Canada West, born in Sep- 
tember, 1830. The}' were married in Des Moines 
Township, her parents having emigrated to Iowa 
when she was only fourteen 3'ears of age. Her 
father, Ezra A. Benedict, was a farmer l)y occupa- 
tion, and upon first coming to the United States 
crossed the Mississippi and located on a part of the 
old "half-breed" tract, in Des Moines Township. 
The maiden name of her mother was Edith Parish. 
The country was comparatively unsettled at the 
time they located here, and very little of the land 
was improved. They cultivated it for a time, then 
removed to Missouri, and afterward left there and 
went to Des Moines, Iowa, where they remained until 
their decease, both living to an advanced age. ilrs. 
Newberrj' remained at home vvith her parents until 
her marriage, and by lier union with the subject of 
our sketch became the mother of ten children, 
three of whom are deceased. The record is as fol- 
lows : Washington was united in marriage with 
Miss Ellen E. Washburne, and is occupied in agri- 
cultural pursuits in Des Moines Township; West 
W. married Miss Sarah E. Case, and also lives in 
this township; Armantha became the wife of Rob- 
ert M. Tweedy; Ella D. married Nels C. Nelson; 
these two also reside in Des Moines Township; 
Alta M. married Orson G. Sargent, and they live 
on the old Sargent homestead ; Fred D. and Charles 
D. (twins) reside at home. The deceased are Smith 
B., Moline, and an infant unnamed. 

Shortly after his marriage Mr. Newberry located 
upon his present homestead (a view of which is 
shown on another page), which has been his perma- 
nent residence since that time. He commenced with 
limited means, but possessed a rich fund of determi- 
nation and industry, and has slowly and surely 
made his way to the top of the ladder. He lived 
economically, disbursed his means wisely and judi- 
ciouslj', was remarkably successful in all his under- 
takings, and "is now reaping the rich reward of his 
earlier toils. He has attended strictly to business, 
and has done whatever he could toward advancing 
the educational and moral interests of his commu- 




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LEE COUNTY. 



iiitj'. He has never dabbled in politics, although 
he has pronounced views upon political matters in 
<,'ciicral, and uniformly casts his vote with the Re- 
publican party. 

Religiously .Mr. and .Mrs. Ncwlicrry adlicrc to the 
faith of the Latter- Day Saints, and .Mr. N. Iia> held 
the otiicc of Klder in his church for a number of 
j-ears. This class of Latter-Day Saints are termed 
.loscphites. and are a distinct body and separate 
from the Utah Mormon Church. They are a law- 
abiding class of jieoplc, and do not lu'licNc in ;i 
plurality of wives. 




.1. WKESS, of KeokuU. is probalily one t)f 
> the most remarkable men in many respects 
in the llawkeye State. He is one of the 
old iMndniaiks in this vicinity, a bntchei- by occu- 
pation, and est:d)lislied himself in bn>iness in 1860, 
Pou the corner which ho now occupies. No. 1 7 .South 
I'onrth street, lie (•:ime to Keokuk in llS4!),arriv- 



inj;i>nthc 1 .'ilh of .May, in company with his fa- 
K Ti tiler's family, the elder Weess being also a butcher 
ri==, by occupation, and has remained a resident of the 
(iate (.'ity since that time. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of Holland, 

liorn in ispt, andtlie son of John ('. and .Mary 

[jiuJijI ( \^ ^''''''l.V ) ^Veess. natives respectively of (icrmany 

m and Holland. His father engaged in his old-time 

1 occupation after coming here, which he prosecuted 



il^^l successfully and with profit, and retired from act- 
W I ive business two years before his death, which oc- 
c-iiiicd in isst. 'I'he mother is still living in I'rai- 
ly ji rie City, Iowa. Their family consisted of eleven 
!l*~r^j children, of whom four are now living, the subject 
J hi of this history being the eldest; Chris C. is a 
g^Scjresident of California; Mar^-, Mrs. Mnrry.und l.i/a. 
.Mrs. Newer, of Monroe County, Iowa. 

F. .1. Weess, from the time he was a lad ten years 
old, has presented a remarkable example of energy 
and industiy. In his boyhood d.ays he was never 
Idle, l)eing constantly occupied in some useful 
work or study. His education was obtaine(l jjrin- 
cipally ill the evening after the labors of the day 
were over, and lu> advanced to manhood with the 





qualities of a thorough business man fully de- 
veloped. He remained under the parental loof un- 
til he attained to years of manhood, and established 
himself in business as a butcher, as mentioned 
above. He has been remarkably successful in all 
his business undertakings, and has accumulated a 
valuable [iroperty. The principal onterpri.ses of the 
city have received largely of his support and en- 
couragement, and he has been an important factor 
among its industrial interests. He is a stockholder 
in the Central Stove Works, the Commercial Banks, 
the Watei- Works and the Building Association. 
His beautiful dwelling, built in 188(1, is the finest 
in the city, and was erected at a cost of ii28,0()(). 
It is located on the corner of Third and Morgan 
streets, and is a resort of the best elements of so- 
ciet}- of the Gate City. 

In addition to his city (iroperty, Mr. Weess is the 
owner of three farms, two in Madison County and 
one in Wooillmry County, near Sioux City. Both 
arc improved and under a good state of cultiva- 
tion. His city jtroperty, aside from that already 
mentioned, includes the store on the northwest cor- 
ner of Main and Fourth streets, another in tlii' 
same block on Main street, and a third on Main 
between Third and Fourth streets, and a half block 
of four buildings on another prominent street, 
three lots on Fulton street, with buildings upon 
each, three lots on the corner of Ninth and Cedar 
streets, two at the corner of Eighteenth and Ex- 
change streets, two at the intersection of Twelfth and 
Bank streets, two at the corner of Third and Mor- 
gan, besides several other pieces of [jroperty. 

Mr. Frank J. Weess and Miss Louisa Lorentzen 
were united in marriage F"eb. 14. IKtil. Mrs. 
Weess is a native of (Germany, and the daughter of 
Rev. P. Lorentzen. of (ierman i)arentage and an- 
cestry. Of this marriage there have been born 
seven children, five of whom are living and nameil 
as follows: Emma, ,Iohn C, Mamie, Frankie and 
Ariiot S. Mr. Weess is Republican in politics, and 
with his family belongs to the United Presbyterian 
Chiircli in this city, of which he is an active mem- 
ber and Trustee. 

Xotwilhstanding his large business interests, Mr. 
^^'eess has never been on the lailioad further tli.aii 
Itiiiliiiytoii. He is noted all over the State for his 



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}j;[S excessive industry, his honesty, and his upright 
}3fi dealings with his fellow-men. He has greatly 
|?S aided in establishing and building up the indus- 
}|S trial interests of the ({ate City, and is universally 
};ji respected for his upright moral character, true 
charity and kindness of heart. He has made for 
himself a position in this community as a man 
whose place it will be exceedingl3- difficult to fill 
when he shall have been gathered to his fathers, 
and his character will be held up as an exam- 
ple t<j future generations long after even his 
children shall have ceased the battle of life. This 
should be his abundant reward for the labors of a 
long and useful lifetime, during which he has 
shrunk from no duty and evaded no responsibility 
as a citizen, husband, father and friend. 



m 



LEE COUNTY. 



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DWARD S. CARTER, manager of the 
Moody estate, and of the business firm of 
^ Carter & Moody, exclusive wholesale deal- 
ers in hats, caps, furs, etc., at 221 Main street, 
Keokuk, Iowa, can appropriately be ranked among 
the leading business men, who by persistent effort 
and a mastery of the details of their line, have kept 
J|t the Gate City fully to the front as a commercial 
}ij center. Mr. Carter has been identified with the hat 
\ls trade in Keokuk for twenty years and is an expert 
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in his line. For years he did the principal retail 
trade of the city, and since 1879 has done an ex- 
clusive wholesale business, which has grown to be 
now the largest done by any house in this trade 
outside the cities of Chicago or St. Louis. The 
firm of Carter & Moody is represented by a corps 
of efficient traveling salesmen on the road, and 
their business house is owned by them and acknowl- 
13S edged to be one of the handsomest trade houses in 
lip Keokuk. 

lis Mr. Carter was born in Lock Haven, Clinton Co., 
Pa., July 27, 1846, and was a resident of that 
ii;i6 State until 1857, when he came West, locating in 
\ii the city of Keokuk in the spring of 18()0. He 
ifs commenced his business career as an apprentice in 
i.^; the composing-room of the Daily Gate City office, 

I jS 

ijJB but that business not proving to his taste he aband- 
liip oned it for merchandising, which he has followed 




industriously for twenty -five years. Mr. Carter's 
"hobb)-" outside of hats is art, and as an artist and 
art critic his name stands deservedly high, as he has 
been a close student of painting and drawing since 
he was twelve 3'ears of age, his first instructor be- 
ing William Winter, of New York Citj', who gave 
him his first drawing-book. Since then he has worked 
and associated with Eaton, Elkins, Upp, Anderson 
and other noted painters, and his Intcli string is al- 
ways out to any of the craft visiting Keokuk. At 
his home he has a large collection of paintings 
whose value runs up into the thousands. 

Mr. Carter was married, in 186'J, to Miss Mary 
F. Moody, only daughter of B. F. Moody, Esq., 
who was one of the pioneers in the wholesale boot- 
and-shoe business of the Gate City. He was born 
in Center Lincoln ville. Me., Dec. 12, 1824, and 
emigrated to Indiana in about the year 1846. On 
the 11th of April, 1847, he was married to Miss 
Anna M. Porter, of Greenville, Ind., and in the 
spring of 18.")4 the}' came to Keokuk, where iMr. 
Moodj' decided upon the experiment of a whole- 
■sale boot-and-shoe house. He was successful in 
his undertaking, and at his death, in September, 
1864, left an estate of over $100,000, the greater 
portion of which he accumulated in a period of ten 
years. He by will left this estate in almost equal 
portions to his wife, Anna M. Moody, and his son 
and daughter, Arthur II. Moody and Mary F. 
Moody, who still survive him. He was at one time 
President and principal stockholder of the old State 
Bank of Iowa, and considered one of the best col- 
lectors in this section. He was possessed of great 
executive ability, and being a good judge of hu- 
man nature was remarkably successful in his deal- 
ings with the various characters which at that day 
he came into contact with, and was obliged to man- 
age with discretion and judgment. 

Mr. Carter, besides his extensive business, is con- 
nected with many of the substantial interests in 
this city, being a stockholder in the Keokuk Opera 
House, and also in the Keokuk Loan and Building 
Association, and the Keokuk Libraiy Association. 
He was a charter member of the (irand Army of 
the Republic, and during the war served as a I'niou 
soldier in the 45th Iowa Infantrj'. The union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Carter has been blest by the birth "f 



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11 



LEE COUNTY. 



three chiMien— Frank R, Kdward F. and Anna M. 
riiov occupy a liaiidsonic mul conveniejit home, 
where they enjoy nil the c(jinforts and many of liie 
hixnries of life. 



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RS. LEVO ALLIJAICII. This lady is a 
hiifhly respected resident of C'haileston 
Township, and the widow of Allery All- 
liaugh, who departed this life Jan. 15, 
51 rs. A. owns and occupies a comfortable 
homestead on section 8, and since the death of her 
husband has carried on the business of the farm in 
a wise and judicious manner. She is a native of 
Delaware, born July 4, 1827, and the daughter of 
Samuel and Mllen (MeC'abe) Campbell, natives of 
the same Slate. The}- were reared and married in 
Delaware, and afterward removed to Preble County, 
()hi(j, where the father died. The motiier of our 
subject still survives, and resides in Kansas, having 
attained the advanced age of eighty-nine years. 
The jjarental household included nine cliildren, of 
whom Mrs. A. was the fourth in order of birth. 

Mi's. Allbaugh was only nine months old when 
her i)arents removed from Delaware to Preble 
County, Ohio. She received careful home training 
and a good education in the public schools, and re- 
mained with her parents until her marriage, which 
occurred in Preble County, Ohio, Oct. !), 184G. 
llcr husband, Allery, was a son of Stephen and 
Nancy (Potters) Allljaugli, natives of Pennsylva- 
liia. and was born in Butler County, Pa., Feb. 20, 
IS IS. They remained in Preble County after their 
iiiMniage for about eight years, during which time 
.Mr. Allbaugh was engaged in hotel-keeping and 
mercantile pursuits. In 1S51 they removed to 
Iowa and located in Keokuk, wliere the\' remained 
for two years. .Mr. A. then purchased eiglity-one 
acres of laml in Cliarleston Township, and became 
occupied in .agrieulluial pursuits. He subsequently 
a<l(led twelve acres to his first purchase, and upon 
tlii.s homestead remained until his death. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Allbaugh were 
born nine children, of whom live are deceased, viz., 
Nancy E., Stephen, William II., Jlary F. and Ed- 



ward. Those surviving are: Hubburt H., George 
M., Dona C. and Allery. Nanc}' was the wife of 
Dr. John Bcucler, and died in Central City, Iowa: 
Hubburt married !Miss Prudence (Jeorge. and died 
in Athens, Mo.; George married Miss Saddle Pauc 
and resides in Plattsville. Iowa; Dona is liie wife 
of Dr. Albert Leach, and lives in Athens, Mo. 



^ ^-*-^- 



: a 

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::t. 



]AMES B. HAZEN, a prosperous farmer of 
I Pleasant Hidge Township, is one of tlie most 

extensive landed proprietors of Lee County. 

The family homestead consists of 260 acres, 
and aside from this he owns 240 acres in Wasliing- 
ton Township, which includes ten acres of valuable 
timber, and he also owns ninety-three acres in Polk 
County. He ismaini}' engaged in agricultural i)ur- 
suits, but is also largely interested in the breeding 
of high-grade stock. 

Mr. Ilazen is a native of Beaver County, Pa., and 
was born May 25, 1827. lie is the son of John and 
Elizabeth (Caldwell) Hazen, and was reared to 
farming pursuits, remaining with his parents until 
his marriage with Miss Emily Severns, w-hich took 
place in 1848. Mrs. Hazen was born in the same 
county as her husband. After his marriage Mr. 
Ilazen followed farming until 186G, when he sold 
out, and crossed the Mississippi for the purpose of 
establishing a permanent home. He had previously 
made a brief visit to the State and purchased eighty 
acres of his present farm. After coming here the 
second time he set himself industriously to work to 
improve and cultivate his possessions, and in due 
time was amply rewarded for his labors. He added 
to his first purchase as his means permitted, and has 
now become one of the most important farmers in 
this section of the country. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ilazen have become the parents of 
five children, of whom the record is as follows: ; 
Susanna was the eldest; John S. married, becoming ; 
the father of a son, and died at the age of thirt\-- : 
two years; Eliza, now Mrs. B. F. Kennedy, is a E 
resident of Polk County; Samuel resides in Wash- : 
ington Township; DeWitt Ilervey is at home. The E 
family residence is a beautiful building, equipped ; 
with all the appliances of cultivated tastes and am- E 



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^' S pie means, including fine barns and all the necessary 
out-biiildings f<^>r the storing of grain and shelter of 
stock. The farming implements and machinery are 
of first-class description, and IMr. Hazen is in all 
respects the possessor of a model homestead. He 
is Democratic in politics, has filled the office of 
Township Trustee for several years, and is promi- 
nently connected with the Baptist Church. 



■>«eee/®^>* 



^4— «-^<S/zr2ro»'' 




BENJAMIN W. DROLLINGER. This gen- 
tleman is successfully occupied as a general 
farmer and stock-raiser, to which he also 
adds the growing of fine vegetables. His 
property is located on section 12, and consists of 
200 acres of land in a fine state of cultivation. 
The subject of our history is a native of Indiana, 
and was born Dec. 4, 1830. His father, Samuel 
Drollinger, was the son of Phillip D., of German 
ancestry and parentage, and emigrated to the 
United States in the early history of this country, 
becoming a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 
He made his home in New Jersey during the earlier 
part of his life, and afterward removed to Indiana, 
where he died at the age of sixty-five j'ears. 

Samuel Drollinger was born in Ohio, and lived 
there until he attained to j^ears of manhood, being 
reared by his parents and receiving a fair educa- 
tion in the common schools. He was married to 
Miss Rachel Cook, who was born and reared in 
Kentucky, and was of German and Scottish parent- 
age and descent. Mr. and Mrs. Drollinger lived in 
Ohio for some years after their mai'riage, and thence 
removed to Northern Indiana, where the}' settled 
on what is now known as Grand Prairie, where the 
subject of our sketch, Benjamin W., was born. 
Later, in 1833, the famil}' removed to Clay Count}', 
Mo., locating at Cameron Station, where the death 
of the father occurred the following year. Mrs. 
Rachel Drollinger is still living, and resides with 
her eldest daughter, Mrs. Clarissa J. Moore, at 
Payson City, Utah, and has arrived at the advanced 
age of eighty-eight j'ears. 

After the death of his father, Benjamin W. Drol- 
lingei- remained with his mother until lie was thir- 



teen years of age, and then set out to earn his own 
living. He was an iiuUistrious boy, brigiit and 
quick to learn, and made friends wherever he went, 
lie was variously employed at whatever he could 
find to do for the following five years, and then 
began to learn the trade of a plasterer, under the 
instruction of James Kent, which was completed 
with the uncle of the latter, Josiah Kent. Young 
Benjamin during this period enjoyed the confi- 
dence of his emploj'er, and was often intrusted by 
him witli important business. He was not satisfied, 
however, with his trade, and after a few years 
abandoned it and began to farm upon his own ac- 
count. 

Mr. Drollinger was married in Jefferson Town- 
ship, Dec. 14, 18.)i), to Miss Susan L., daughter of 
George and Rebecca (Wallace) Wilson (see sketch 
of (icorge Wilson). Mrs. Drollinger was born in 
Hancock County, at what is now Nauvoo, 111., Jan. 
13, 1834, and came with her parents to Iowa when 
but a small child. She was the eldest daughter 
and second child in the familj', and is the oldest 
now living. ]Mr. and Jlrs. Drollinger are the i)ar- 
ents of seven children, as follows: George married 
Jliss Clara L. Doughertj', and lives in Clark 
County, Mo., upon a farm ; Burrel P. married Miss 
Laura O. Dougherty, and is carrying on a farm in 
Clark County, Mo. ; Emma, the wife of Frank 
Holmes, lives with her husband on a farm in Jeffer- 
son Township: Frances E. is a teacher, and resides 
with her parents at home ; Mary is the wife of 
Levi P. Conley; Benjamin and Annie are at home. 

Shortly after their maniage Mr. and Mrs. Drol- 
linger settled upon their present homestead. Be- 
sides this land Mr. Drollinger is the owner of 200 
acres on section 20 in Jefferson Township, one-half 
of which is finely cultivated and the balance in 
pasture. He also owns .J40 acres of laud in Clark 
County, Mo. In his management and methods, 
IMr. Drollinger is a fine illustration of the progres- 
sive farmer. His farm machinery and implements 
are of the latest and most improved pattern, and 
the homestead is supplied with everything needful 
for comfort, utility and beauty. 

Mr. and Mrs. Drollinger are members in good 
standing of the United Brethren Church, and in 
polities Mr. Drollinger is strongly Democratic. He 





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takes ail active interest rn the general welfare of 

liiii <i>iiiiiiimit.v. lias servcil on the, School Board, 
ami ill tjthi-i- ways perfornied the duties of a ifood 
citi/.fii. 

-^>!^-i»!^ ^^^i^>^5«^*<5<f• 
lL].lA.M J. HEIIKHNS, of Harrison Town- 
ship, is pleasantly situated on section 22, 
where he has 100 acres of finely cultivated 
land, and is engaged in tlie lireeding of good iiorses. 
He conies from a finely educated family, wiK> were 
natives of the Kni|)ire of (ierinaiiy, liis parents 
having cinlgraled to this country in l.S4(i. Mr. 15eh- 
rens is a native of Harrison Townshii), Lee Count3S 
his liirth occurring .lune 21, 1 sCiO. lie is the son 
of Ucniy and Johanna (Ikirgdorf) Uciircns. His 
father was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, May 
22, 1H22, and after coming to this country, de- 
parted this life April (!, 1«72, at the age of fifty 
3' ears. 

Henry Hchrens was reared on a farm in (Jcr- 
inany and attended the sciiools of his native empire, 
in which he developed a leniarkahle fondness for 
books, and attained a fine fun<l of general inform- 
ation. After reaching tiie United Slates he re- 
niainrd in New York City to attend upon two 
brothel's who were stricken with cholera while on 
the voyage, and who died after leaving the ship. 
After this sad circumstance Mr. Behrens returned 
at once to tierman}', where he remained for three 
5, attending to the property' in possession of 
family. At the expiration of tliis time he re- 
einl)arked for tiie New World, and after a safe 
voyage located at St. Louis, Mo., wiiere he pur- 
chased pidpi'rty and remained for about four years. 
He then sold out, and coining to Iowa located in 
Hairison Township, and after having disposed of 
his St. Louis pro|(erty, here purchased 400 acres of 
land. It was unimproved, and he at once set to 
work to cultivate the land a4id establish a home. 
His first residence was a log cabin, 24x36 feet in 
dimensions, and in tills he kept ■• l)aciielor's hall" 
for tiirec years. 

Mr. Behrens was married, .bin. !), 18a4, his wife 
being a native of his own country, and ten years 
his junior, the date of iier birth having been Aug. 
y, 1833. .She came to America in 1 s.JO, when a 



jj fa years, at 
LS, the fami 



= s 



maiden of seventeen j'eai-s old. Of their union ; 
there were born eleven children, of whom the : 
record is as follows: Henry died in infancy; ("hris, 
for his first wife, married Miss Henrietta Abel, who 
died after a few ^ears, and he then married her 
sister, MissTillie Abel; August H. died in infancy- ; 
Henry J. married Miss Ella Linn, of Des Moines ; riJ 
County', Iowa; William .1., our suliject. was the :./\\. 
fifth in order of birth; Charles (first) died in in- ; fq 
fancy; A. C. is engaged in mercantile pursuits in : i' 



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D.-illas County, Mo.; the others are Hannah, II. C. 
Martha E. and FretVdie E. 

Henry Behrens was remarkably fond of horses, ^K 

and kept uimmi his farm a number of the finest H^i 

SI 

s])eciiiiens to be found in this vicinity. He was 3;h 

N- H 

greatly prospered in his agricultural and business fi-K 

enterprises, and at the time of his death w.as the iA 

owner of ."lOO acres of land. He was public spirited 3" 

3; 
and liberal, and contributed largely to the building J; 

of school-houses and the support of the cause of 5: 
education. He was greatly respected and beloved J 
in this vicinitj', an<l widel3-known for his benevo- J 
lence and kindness of heart. In politics he was a 5 
stanch Democrat, although a strong anti-slavery C 
man, and greatly opposed to human bondage. g: 

William .). Behrens is a representative man of h 
tliis township, and in religious and [lolitical faith 
folhjws closely in the footsteps of his honored 
father, being Democratic in politics and a loyal ad- 
herent of the Evangelical Church. He is highly 
esteemed in his community, and is the eneourager 
and supporter of ever^' good work and purpose. 
In addition to his beautiful homestead in Harrison 
Township he also owns 100 acres of land in Seward 
County, Kan. ■ 



••^;»i>-.-^£^i^^<5<-<^«f-. 



RS. MARY NAGEL, proprietress of the « 
prosjserous and extensive brewery locatetl B 
on Fourteenth street, between Main and ? 
Blondeau, Keokuk, owns and occupies a fine ;; 
residence on the latter street at No. 1416, which 3m 
she erected in 1880. Since the death of her hus- j 
band Mrs. Nagel has conducted the business sue- Jc 
cessfully, and is a lady of more than ordinary in- p 
telligence and business talent. s 




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The subject of our sketch comes from an old 
family of excellent German ancestiy, her jiarents 
being John \). and Connie (Brakel) J\Ia3'bauer, na- 
tives of (iermany. The^' spent their entire lives 
in their native land, the father carrying on a suc- 
cessful business as a blacksmith and wagon manu- 
facturer. Me departed this life in 1S47, two years 
after the decease of his faithful and affectionate 
wife. The parental lioiisehold consisted of six 
children, only three of whona are living: John is a 
resident of Johnson County, Iowa; George lives 
in Linn County, and Mary, Mrs. Nagel, in Keokuk. 

Miss Mary Maybaiier was united in marriage 
with John Nagel in 1853, at Keokuk. He was a 
native of the same countrj' as herself, and came to 
America in the same year as his wife, 18r)2. After 
their marriage they located upon a farm in Charles- 
ton Township, Lee County, of which Mr. Nagel 
had become the possessor, which consisted of 120 
acres and had but very few improvements. Here 
they established a comfortable home, but after four 
years sold the farm and moved into Keokuk, where 
for three years Mr. N. was variously engaged, after 
which he became connected with the brewery busi- 
ness, which he followed for the remainder of his 
life. Their household included seven children, 
three of whom are deceased. The living are: Eliz- 
abeth, Mrs. Loeffler, of St. Louis, who is the mother 
of three children — Charles, Edward and Dora; 
John is manager of the brewery in Keokuk, and 
associated with him is his younger brother, Charles; 
Amelia, the youngest of the family, now Mrs. 
Wooley, lives in Keokuk. The husband of our 
subject departed this life in 1872. He was an ex- 
cellent business man and a good citizen. In poli- 
tics he voted the straight Republican ticket, and 
socially belonged to the Druids. He was also a 
prominent member of the Brewers' Association. 

^^^NTON WIGGENJOST. Tlie subject of 

fi^fiJj this brief history- is a fine representative 

ll of that prosperous and enterprising (ier- 

man element which has assisted so materi- 

H ally in the development of the resources of this 

S section of countr}". He was born in (ierman}' in 

iXxiiYttiai 




LEE COUNTY 



.^»^r>-^ts^ 



«^*i^-*>iff*tf-» 




182.'). and is the son of Barney and Mary Wiggen- M 
jost. He emigrated to the United States in 1851, '• W—-- 
an<l from St. Louis, Mo., three years afterward, JRHi'^ 
came into Lee Countj'. He has been engaged in iSrejl^ 
agricultural pursuits a greater part of his life, and 'P ^rV' a 
was also employed in the manufacture of brick for li 

about twenty-five years. He located in Ft. Madi- ^■■ 

son after first coming to the county, and remained 
there about three years, then removed to Washing- 
ton Township, of which he has been a resident 
since that time. He is the owner of 550 acres in 
this county, which includes the flue estate in Wash- 
ington Township upon wliich he resides. 

The subject of our sketch was married in St. 
Louis, Mo., in 1851, to Miss Katie Cook, a native 
of his own country, born about 1828. They have 
becimie the parents of twelve children, of whom 
only four survive, as follows : Theresa is the wife 
of Henr^- Cramer, of Washington Township; Jo- 
seph married Anna Buescher, and also resides in 
this township: Frank and Sidonia are at home. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wiggenjost are connected with the 
Catholic Church, and in politics our subject uni- 
formly casts his vote with the Democratic party. 
He is a straightforward business man, honest and 
upright in his ilealings with his fellow-men, and in 
all respects is entitled to rank among the first citi- 
zens of Lee County. 



I RS. ADITHEA A. HEFFLEMAN. a highly 
respected resident of Jackson Township, J 
is a native of Harrison County, Ind., and 
was born Dec. 10, 1819. She is the 
daughter of (ieorge and Sarah (King) Borden, 
natives resjjectively of Virginia and Tennessee. 
After their marriage they located in Harrison 
County, Ind., where the death of (Tcorge Borden 
occurred in 18.')5. His wife, tlie mother of our 
subject, survived liini nineteen years, and died in 
Jefferson County, Ky., in 1854. They were the 
parents of thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Ileffle- 
man was the tenth in order of birth. 

The subject of this history remained a member 
of her parents' household until she was twenty-two 
j'ears of age, receiving careful parental training and 



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218 



LEE COUNTY. 



a fair education in the pnblic schools. She was first 
marriefl to 'oliii W. Miller, and tliej' located in 
Hullitt t'omily, Ky. Mr. Miller was occupied in 
boating on the Oliio and Mississippi Rivers, own- 
ing and c-oininanding his own boats, and after a 
nuinlicr of years spent in Kentucky they removed 
to Clark County, Mo., in l.s(;;3. wiiere he engaged 
ill rniiiiiiig. Mr. Miller departed tiiis life on tiie 
(ill) of May, ISflfi. lie was a niemlier of the Ma- 
sonic fraternit}-, and also of the Baptist Church. 
They lia<l no children. 

Mrs. Aditliea A. Miller, on the llh of August, 
IH(!7, became the wife of James S. Walker. After 
their marriage they settled in Lee County, and 
!\Ir. Walker followed farming pursuits in Jackson 
Townsliii) until IK^ili, when he rested from his 
eartlily labors. The subject of this biography was 
married liie tliird time, Dec. 10, 18S2, to Henry 
IK'lllrmaii, and continued to reside in J.ackson 
Township. .Mr. II. died June 1.'), 1 H.SI). During 
his re>idenee in \au Huren County he was the sec- 
onil SheritT of that county, and was Deputy Sheriff 
iiiidir the first Sheriff. He had been twice pre- 
viously married, and reared three children, two by 
his liisl and one liy his second marriage; only one 
xiii Is now living, in Custer County, Neb. Mr. 
llellleniau was for many years a prominent man in 
the early settlement of Iowa, and was highly re- 
spected liy llie citizens of Lee County. 

Mrs. II. lias a life lease of thirty-seven acres of 
the home farm and residence in Jaciison Township, 
and is the owner of sixty-three acres in Mis.souri. 
She is a lady of intelligence and good business ca- 
pacity, and enjoys tlie friendship of a lai'ge circle 
of accpiaintances. She has a plea.saut and com- 
fortable home, and a fair share of the good tilings 
of life. A view of the home i)lace is shown on an- 
other page. 

VILLIA.M J. ADAMS, an honored pioneer 
of Iowa, crossed the Mississii)|)i before the 
Territory had become a State, making the 
1 journey from Tennessee. The country at that time 
was wild and mostly uncultivated, but Mr. Adams 
I possessed the true pioneer spirit, and "came to 
stay." He w:is pre|iared to meet and overcome the 




ditHeuIties which beset the early settler. How well : \ 

he succeeded his present position fidl3- indicates. ; i, 

The subject of tliis biography was born Nov. IS, ~ \ 

l(S2y, in Weakley County', Teiin., and remained at E ij 

home until he attained to years of manhood. He : ■■'. 

was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Gore, : -ij 

the wedding taking place Sept. IS, 18.')1. Mrs. : '■! 

Adams is a native of Union County, 111., born Nov. : nl 

.i, 1832, and is the daughter of Joshua D. and i aj 

Mar}- (Petterson) Gore, botli natives of Johnson : .; 

County, S. C. From there they removed to Lee E 'i 

County, Iowa, in the spring of 1842, and made : .; 

their home here for two years, thence removing to 5 4 

MeDonough County, 111., where they lived one E aj 

year, and then returned to Lee County, wlicre they : ij 

spent the remainder of their days. The mother de- ^ 1: 

parted this life Feb. 7, 1879; her husband survived : i^ 

her four years, dying in 1883. The record of their . ^! 

family is as follows: Nancj' J. w.as born in 1828; : n' 

E. E., Dec. 28, 1830; Rebecca, Nov. 5, 1832; Mar- : 

tha, Aug. 25, 1835; Owen P., Feb. 20, 1837; Jo- ; 

siah P., Jan. 20, 1841; Thomas, July 8, 1843; : 

Mary Ann, Jan. 7, 1845; Sarah A., Jan. !), 1848; ; 
Susan A., Oct. 23, 1850; John F., July 18, 1853. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been 
born the following: Joshua T., Sept. 20, 1852; 
Alice A., May 22, 1854; Nancy J., Nov. 28, 1855; 
.Mary E., Feb. 28, 1858; Lucy M., Nov. 25. 185'.t; 
William K., Oct. 30, 18U3; Owen, Sept. 22, 18(;7: 
Effie, Maicli 27, 1870; Frank, May 24, 1873. Five 
of tlie children are yet living. 

After coming to Iowa INIr. Adams located upmi 
a tract of laud on section 25, in Montrose Town- 
ship. His neighbors were few and far between, 

and the first few years of his labors were passed in z-^ 

companitive solitude. He set himself about the t i^ 

inipiovemeut of his land, working as well as lie F jl 

could with the limited conveniences at hand, niid ; n 

in due time reaped the reward of his labors in tlie : ;;;■ 

picture before him of smiling fields and growing : ft"' 

grain. He became prosperous, established a com- E " 

fortablc homestead, and is now enjoying all the ~ 'fi 

comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Heside ~%l 

liis farm estate he has three town lots in (ialland, E HJ 

this county. His children have been carefully E t] 

reared and well educated, and tlie family are meiii- E J 

bers in oood standing of the Christian C'liiirch. I'o- • 1 

.- . ^ ^ ii^ 



E^li 
c r:i 



litically Mr. Adams is an uncompromising Demo- 
crat, and uniformly casts his vote in support of tlie 
principles of that party. As a citizen he is held in 
high esteem, and has always occupied a prominent 
position in Lee County. 






•5K-~«> 



■^fl OHN C. ATLEE, an honored pioneer of 
Lee County, and a prominent resident of Ft. 
Madison, is one of its most valued and rep- 
resentative citizens. He is in every way a 
man of note in his locality, and the founder of the 
most extensive business now being carried on at 
Ft. JLidison. In all enterprises tending to build 
up the interests of Lee County he has been inti- 
mately' identified, socially, morally and financially, 
and has aided greatly in its development and pros- 
perity. 

Mr. Atlee is a native of the State of Maryland, 
the date of his birth being March 22, 1.S1G. He is 
the son of Samuel J. and Martha (Strickler) Atlee, 
both natives of Lancaster County, Pa. His mother 
died while he was an infant, leaving five children be- 
side himself — AVilliam A., Samuel, Jacob S., Isaac 
and Sarah — all of whom are now deceased save 
the subject of this sketch. The father in due time 
contracted a second marriage, taking for his wife 
Miss Rachel Strickland, and of this union eight 
children were born, two of whom died in childhood 
and the remaining six attained their majorit3^ 
They were as follows: Cornelia, Edward, Samuel, 
George, Julia and Joseph B. 

The subject of this sketch was only a few days 
old when his mother yielded up her life, and he 
was thus left to the care of his grandmother, Mrs. 
Strickler, who, with her husband, was one of the 
pioneers of Lancaster County, Pa. He remained 
with her until her death, which occurred when he 
was only twelve years old. He then made his home 
for a short time with an uncle, Henrj- Strickler, and 
afterward with an elder brother, William A. Atlee. 
At the age of sixteen years he was apprenticed to 
his bruther, Jacolj S., to learn the carpenter's trade, 
and was thus employed nearlj' two years, at which 
time his brother retired from the business. Our 
subject then proceeded to Philadelphia tu complete 




his trade under the instruction of Joshua Colter, 
and worked on Gerard Square one year. Then, 
with a cash capital of twelve and one-half cents, he 
left Philadelphia and proceeded to New York City, 
where he followed his trade for about nine months. 
At the expiration of this time, in the fall of 1835, 
he went by sea to Mobile, Ala., and the following 
spring by Lake Pontchartrain, La., to New Orleans. 
He did not like the South as well as he had antici- 
pated, and leaving the Crescent Citj' he went up 
the Mississippi River as far as Vicksburg, thence to 
Louisville and Cincinnati; then back to St. Louis, 
where to his surprise he received word from his 
brother Isaac, of whom he hail heard nothing for . , . . - 
three years. His Ijrother had left the city, however, h Q 
and John C. went up the river to Quincy,and there "^ 
learned that his brother was at Ft. ^Madison. He 
accordingly set out on horseback, and soon met the 
tnijther he was in search of, whom he found en- 
gaged in carpenter work. He remained here a few 
months, and was so favorabl}' impressed with the 
young town and its vicinity that he determined to 
make this locality his future home. This was in 
the year 18. 'J 7. 

Mr. Atlee had in the meantime made arrange- 
ments for the establishment of domestic ties, and 
going back to Quincy was there united in marriage 
with Miss Emeline S. Brooks, a native of New 
Hampshire, the wedding taking place in Quincy, 
111., in 1838. Immediately after their marriage the 
young couple came to Ft. Madison, where the hus- 
band established himself at his trade, which he suc- 
cessfully pursued for six years. At the expiration 
of this time, by the exercise of unremitting indus- 
try and economy, he had saved sufficient from his 
hard earnings to purchase a farm, and selected a 
tract of 400 acres on Little Cedar Creek, twenty- 
four miles from Ft. Madison. Their nearest neigh- 
bors were quite a distance away, and his wife did 
not see another woman for the space of three 
months. He employed himself continuously in the 
cultivation and improvement of his farm for several 
years, and experienced many hardships and priva- 
tions. There was no money in circulation, and 
although his crops were large, he realized but little 
cash profit from them. 

In 1852 Mr. Atlee sold his farm, returned to Ft. 



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LEK COUNTY. 



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Madison, and bpcamo nssooiated with his brother in 
the liiinhor trade, which they carried on for two 
years anil then dissolved. In IM.">4 he went into 
partnership with Nathaniel Heiinett. and they 
erected a steam sawmill, with a capacity of 20,000 
feet of lumber daily. The following year they ad- 
mitted Augustus Kr.'ibcr a.s a partner, continuing 
business under the firm name of Atlee, Bennett & 
Kraber. lint tlie firm became involved in debt, and 
the financial crisis of l.s.')(i-o7 proved very di.sas- 
trous to them. Messrs. Kraber and Bennett be- 
came much discouiaged. but Mr. Atlee would har- 
bor no such word as " fail." He accordingly pur- 
chased the interest of his partners, and although it 
involved a delit of ^r(0,n()0, he determined to per- 
severe, lie had a large stock of lumber on hand, 
for which he could secure no cash, but was obliged 
to excha\ige it for hogs, cattle and horses, and with 
these he in turn purchased more logs, and also 
made payments on his notes of indebtedness. In 
the meantime there had been additions to his do- 
mestic circle, and he now had a sou who was nearly 
a young man grown, lie now associated this son, 
Samuel Ity name, with him in business, the firm title 
becoming S. & J. C. Atlee. Occasionally the^- were 
compelled to borrow money, and also obliged to 
pay IT) to 20 per cent interest. However. Iiy close 
attention to business, strict integrity and excellent 
management, they succeeded in clearing themselves 
of debt, and now no m,an can say he ever lost a 
cent by John C. Atlee. 

The subject of this sketch is a man of surprising 
resolution and perseverance. The more opposition 
and disaster crowded upon him the more he deter- 
mined to succeed. In 1)^.")M the boiler of their mill 
exploded, killing four men and blowing the build- 
ing to atoms. .Mr. Atlcc a,ssisted in burying the 
dead, and tiien commenced re-building his mill, 
n putting evcrytiiing in running operation again, 

lich continued until May ^5, 1H()(), when the new 

{ mill was destroyed by fire. In just six weeks it was 

re-built on a much larger scale. The second mill 

liad a capacity of 10,01)0 feet of lumber per day. 



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i b^j^a but this proved too slow for Mr. Atlee, and after the 

building of the tiiird mill he finally tore it down and 

erected the present one, which has a capacity of 

'f 120,000 feet of lumber. 150,000 shingles and 28,- 



000 lath per day of ten hours. This mill is one if 
the largest in Lee County, and in connection with 
it is also a planing-mill and a manufactory of sash, 
doors, blinds, lioxes. and all kinds of carpenter 
work. The firm continues as it began, operated 
solely l)y Mr. Atlee and his son. They give em- 
ployment to :{00 hands, some of whom have served 
them for over a quarter of a century, and a re- 
niarkalile harmony prevails among all the emjjloyes 
tlirotighout the works, and the heads of the firm 
are held in the liighest respect and esteem. 

On the 3d of July, 1S7.5, a furious hurricane un- 
roofed the residence of Mr. Atlee and otherwise in- 
jured it. He w.os absent from home at the time, 
but knew that his home was in the pathway of the 
storm, and when he came in sight of the rijins and 
found that his family was safe, he swung his hat 
and shouted •' All right; we will try it again." He 
went to work the same d.ay, drew his plans, and re- 
Iniilt on a larger scale than before. The same storm 
played all sorts of tricks at the mill yard, damaging 
the property to the extent of §.i,000. But none of 
these things discouraged the proprietor. On the 
conti'ary they only seemed to whet his appetite for 
further struggles, and he gloried in triumphing, as 
it were, over the elements, and over disasters that 
would have appalled most men. In short it would 
seem that nothing but the grim Destroyer himself 
will ever be able to conquer J. C. Atlee. His ex- 
cellent wife saj's, "We never cry over our misfort- 
unes." Mrs. Atlee seems to have been peculiarly 
fitted for the wife of such a man as her husband. 
.She has never failed to greet him upon his arrival 
for his meals since the date of their marriage, and 
has never been out of hearing of the mill whistle. 
She has become the mother of five children, one of 
w-hom died in childhood. The four living are Sam- 
uel; Martha, now the wife of Peter Okell; Will- 
iam, and Maggie, who became the wife of George 
Hanchett. 

In early life Mr. Atlee affiliated with the Demo- 
cratic party. l)ut in l.Si')G he considered he had rea- 
son to change his political opinions, and upon the 
organization of the Repupliean part^' about that 
time, he cordially indorsed its principles, and has 
been its firm supporter ever since. He has steadily 
declined becoming a candidate for any office, and 



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refused the position of County Sheriff, which was 
tendered him bj* appointment. 

As a worth)' and honored representative of the 
county, the publishers are pleased to present the 
portrait of Mr. Atlee on another page of this Al- 
bum, also a view of his residence. 



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^; AMES P. TURNER, a prominent and highly 
respected farmer of Jackson Township, is 
located on section 29, and carrying on the 
(^^' peaceful pursuits of agriculture in an intel- 
legent and profitable manner. He is a native of 
Scioto County, Ohio, and was born April 28, 1836, 
his parents being John G. and Elizabeth (Smith) 
Turner, natives respectivelj' of Marj'land and Ken- 
tucky. They settled in the State of Ohio after their 
marriage, and afterward removed across the river 
into Kentucky whence, in about 1853, they came 
to Lee County, Iowa, and located in Jackson Town- 
ship. Here thej' established a permanent home 
and remained until the close of their lives. The 
household circle included ten children, six boys 
and four girls, of whom our subject was the fifth in 
order of birth. 

Mr. Turner of this history was a youth of fifteen 
years when he came to Iowa with his parents. About 
this time the Rebellion began to assume alarming 
proportions, and 3'oung Turner, fired with a spirit of 
j'outhful patriotism, determined to become a soldier 
and aid in the preservation of the Union. He en- 
listed in the 1st Iowa Cavalry, June 13, 1861, and 
served until March 14, 1866, or until the close of 
the war. He went in as Corporal and was pro- 
moted to the rank of Second Lieutenant. He 
shared with his regiment all the dangers, hardships 
and privations of war, and came out of them un- 
harmed. After he was mustered out he returned 
to Lee County, engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
and has been thus occupied the greater part of his 
life. He is the owner of 185 acres of land, most 
of which is tillable and under a good state of culti- 
vation. He has a good farm residence, and all the 
improvements and appliances of a first-class farm 
estate. 

Mr. Turner was married in Van Buren Town- 



ship, Dec. 12, 1867, to Miss Frances J., daughter of 
Charles J. and Eliza (Heath) Wright, natives of 
England. They emigrated from their native coun- 
try to America in 1848, first settling in Pittsburgh, 
Pa. They crossed the Father of Waters and came 
into Keokuk, Iowa, about eleven years later. They 
fiuallj' made their home in Jackson Township, 
where the father departed this life in 1879; the 
mother still survives. Their household included 
twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. 
Mrs. Turner was the fifth of her parents' family, and 
was born near London, Elngland, Jan. 14, 1848. 
By her union with our subject she has become the 
mother of four children : Charles G., who died in 
infancy; James F., Nellie G. and John D. 

Mr. Turner has served as Assessor of Jackson 
Township for about ten years, and has held other 
minor offices. He is Republican in politics and 
takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to 
the welfare of his community and the progress of 
morality and education. He is a straightforward 
business man, reliable and temperate, and in all re- 
spects a valued member of the community. A 
view of his residence is shown on another page. 

gg^JiJC^; : .0- 

•^ AMES H. ANDERSON, of Keokuk, Iowa, at- 
tornej' at law, occupies a high position in his 
profession in the Hawkeje State, of which 
he has been a resident since 1856. He re- 
ceived his primary education in the public schools 
of Keokuk, and thereafter for a time remained with 
his father upon the farm in Clark County, Mo. 
He has been a man of varied experiences. He was 
studious in his youth and keenly observant, and 
made the most of his opportunities, and the posi- 
tion which he now occupies has been secured mainly 
by his own enterprise, industry, and the improve- 
ment of the talents which nature bestowed upon 
him. 

The subject of our sketch was born at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, May 30, 1842, and his parents were Robert 
James and Mary J. (Whitney) Anderson. At the 
age of fourteen years, accompanied by his father 
and his father's brother, they started West, crossed 
the Father of Waters and located at Keokuk. 




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LEE COUNTY. 



After a time he was joinerl by his father's family, 
and in ISfiO removed njion ;i fiirni. Tlie following 
year the nutos of war lieii;an t(» sound tin-oughout 
the land, and at tho lirst call for troops he deter- 
mined to become a soldier for the Union. He ac- 
cordingly enlisted. May 25, l«Gl.and became a 
member of the Northeastern Missouri Volunteers, 
_^ under the command of Col. Woodi'ard, and served 
with his reginiout until October of that year, when 
he was taken [irisoner by the rebels in Missouri and 
paroled. The next year he went into active service 
in the Missouri State Ouards, witli wh<mi he re- 
mained during lM->. In the following spring he 
h returned to Keokuk, and Iti 1 863 he crossed the 
"^ plains to Coh>rado, driving an ox-teani, and re- 
turned to Keokuk in the spring of 1SC4. 

In that same year Mr. A. re-enlisted and was 
mustered into service in Company C, 4.5th Iowa, as 
a private, serving in Tennessee during the summer, 
He received his discharge in the fall of that year, and 
returning to Keokuk cominenceil reading law under 
the instruction of Hon. J. H. Craig. He continued 
liis studies for two years thereafter, and was admit- 
ted to the bar in l.S(!(), at Keosauqua, Iowa. The 
following year he became associated in partnership 
with Robert H. Gilmore, the firm existing until the 
time of Mr. (iilniore's death, in l.s.si. Mr. Ander- 
son then became associated with his brother, Joseph 
<i., until 1885, since which time he has carried on 
his professional business alone. 

In March. 1H()8, James H. Anderson was united 
in marriage with Miss Anna, daughter of Lewis and 
Ann (Harper) Uigus. Mrs. Anderson was born in 
Hrookville. Ind., .May 2, 1 IS IG, and of their union 
have been Ixirn live children, two of whom died in 
early fhildhood. The three living are Kdwin G., 
horn ill ls72; Hessic. in 1«7H, and David F., in 
1882. 

Mr. Aiuleison has been actively engaged in the 
duties of ills profession since 18()7, and has taken a 
hearty interest in all public enterprises, or what- 
ever might become of lieiiefit to his county or com- 
munity. He has aided materially in the industrial 
interests of this section, and has contributed cheer- 
fully of his time and money to the liringing about 
of various public iinpioveinents. lie has erected 
ten buildings, which are among the handsomest in 



the city, and mainly to his efforts is due the build- 
ing of the driveway around the city, the building 
of the North vo:u\, the water- works, the street rail- 
way, and the instituti<m of the public park. He is 
the President of the Keokuk street railway, and a 
Director in the Opera House Company. He was 
also \'ice President and Oeneral .Manager of the 
Keokuk & Northwestern Railway during the build- 
ing of that road, and was for many years a Director 
of the .St. Louis, Keokuk it Northwestern Railroad. 
He was President of the Water- Works Compan}' 
during the construction of their works, and for 
many years was a Director in the State National 
Bank, also a Director of the Keokuk Northern Line 
Packet C(mipany. 

In politics Mr. Anderson formerly- voted the Re- 
publican ticket, but in 1868 he considered he had 
reason to change his political views, and since that 
time has usually supported the principles and voted 
for the candidates of the Democratic party. Al- 
though prominent in local politics he has steadily 
declined to become a candidate for any office. 

It will thus be seen that Mr. Anderson has added 
greatly' to the progress and development of Lee 
County, and especially of its largest cit3'. It is by 
the efforts of such men as he that Iowa has attained 
to her present proud position amcmg the States 
west of the Mississippi, and the record of their 
lives will stand in these monuments of wood and 
iron long aftei' their projector has passed awaj'. 

IIARLKS WHITLOCK. a highly esteemed 
citizen of West Point, has been a resident 
of the Hawlceye State for the space of thirty 
years, and from the time ()f coming here has en- 
joyed, in a marked degree, the highest respect of 
his fellow-townsmen. He is extensively and suc- 
cessfully eng.aged in the handling of lumber and 
grain and in the keeping and sale of bees and 
honey. 

Mr. Whitlock is a native of the Empire of (ier- 
many, and was born in the Kingdom of Prussia on 
the r>th of March, 1834. He was the fifth of a 
family of six children, and when a child of two 
years old came with his parents to the United 






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States. After reaching American shores they pro- 
ceeded directly to Dayton, Ohio, where the}- re- 
mained for a short time, then crossed the ^lissis- 
sippi to St. Louis, Mo., iind a little later came into 
Van Buren Coiintj', Iowa, and located in Farming- 
t(m. There they established a i)ermanent home, and 
the father engaged in his former occupation as a 
millwright. He also became engaged as a miller, 
and during the latter part of his life in Prussia 
especially, made this his business, but resumed as 
a millwright after coming to this country. He 
erected a giistmill and sawmill near Farmingtou, 
which he operated successfully with the assistance 
of his sons for a number of years. Frederick Whit- 
lock, the father of our subject, departed this life 
near Farm ington, about 1848; the mother survived 
him for twenty-eight years, dying in 187G. Her 
maiden name was Caroline Schultz, and of their 
family of six children, all are living except two 
daughters. 

Charles Whitlock remained with his mother's 
family three years after his father's death, and at 
the age of seventeen years began an apprenticeship 
at the cabinet-maker's trade, under the instruction 
of his elder brother, Fred W. He subsequently 
turned his attention to carpentering, in connection 
with which he took uj) painting, and after he came 
to West P<jiut, followed the two occupations until 
1878, when he abandoned mechanical labors and 
engaged in the lumber trade. To this, a few years 
later, he added the buying and selling of grain. 
About the year 186.5 he became interested in bee- 
keeping, and since that time has frequently had on 
hand 1.50 swarms. He seems to be peculiarly 
adapted to the handling and care of the useful lit- 
tle insects, and has made their habits an interesting 
study for years. His experience has been of much 
value to others similarly engaged, and he is now 
President of the West Point Beekeeper's Associa- 
tion, which was organized in 1884, and of which lie 
was the first President. Mr. Whitlock has been 
prosperous in his various branches of business, and 
owns valuable real estate within the limits of West 
Point, including thirteen lots, some of them being 
supplied with good buildings. 

The first marriage of Mr. Whitlock took place in 
1 8.58, when he was united with JNUss Anna Wur- 



ster, an Ohio lady who came here with her parents 
when a child. She remained the companion of her 
husband onlj- five short years, and was the mother 
of one child, Henry W., who is now salesman in a 
hardware establishment in Chicago, 111. He is a 
bright and promising young man, and good things 
are expected of him in the future. 

The second wife of Mr. Whitlock, to whom he 
was married Dec. 24, 1864, was Miss Barbara 
Strohm, a native of CJermany, who came to this 
country when five years old. Of this union there 
have been born six children, one of whom is de- 
ceased. This little one met a painful death by 
falling into a tub of scalding water, when three and 
a half years old. The remainder are — Emma, Liz- 
zie, Edward C, Clara and John, all at home. The 
family occupy a handsome dwelling, surrounded 
by all the comforts of life and many of its luxu- 
ries. Mr. and Mrs. Whitltick are members of the 
German Methodist Church, of which Mr. Whitlock 
is Steward, Trustee and .Sunday-school Superintend- 
ent. He is President of the .Sund.ay-school Asso- 
ciation of this township, which holds its meetings 
annually. He has long been prominently identified 
with public affairs in this vicinity, and h.as con- 
tributed of his time and means to the support of 
ever}' worthy object. He is a Director of the Fair 
Association at West Point, and his opinions are al- 
ways solicited in regard to the various enterprises 
of the cominunit}'. In politics he unif<jrmly votes 
to uphold the principles of the Republican party. 




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^I^^^^ICHOLAS BLOM, manufacturer of soap and 
I /// concentrated lye, came to Keokuk in 1856, 
li\/^ and since that time has been a resident of 
the Gate City. He was born in Holland, Nov. 11, 
1831, and educated in the language of his native 
country. When twenty-four years of age he emi- 
grated to the United States, landing in the citj* of 
New York, whence he at once proceeded westward 
to Michigan, where he was engaged in fishing for 
two months, and then coming to Iowa, was em- 
ployed upon a farm. In 1864 he engaged with his 
brother, William Blom, a soap manufacturer, with 
whom he remained thirteen years, and then pur- 



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chased the business, which he has since that time 
operated in his own interests. The products of 
his manufacture are chiefly for laundry purposes, 
and from the good quality of this and his fair deal- 
ing as » business man, he has built up a good trade, 
disposing of his soaps mostly to the jobbing trade, 

■ ■^j. and averaging 8.000 pounds weekly. Mr. Blom 
HH and his son, with the assistance of an employe, do 

|[ip^ most of the work, the former going upon the road 
himself to introduce the jjrodiicts (»f his manufact- 
\ire. The factory is 25x75 feet in area, with a 
basement, and is built of brick. 

Mr. Blom was married in Keokuk in IHCl, to 
Miss Christina Bauer, who was a native of Ger- 
many. She died at their home in Keokuk in Feb- 
ruarj', 1884, leaving one sou, Peter, win* is the as- 
sistant of his father in the business. Mr. Blom be- 
gan life at the foot of the ladder, having only §1 
in his pocket when he landed in Michigan, and by 

B- the exercise of industry and perseverance has ac- 
cumulated consideralile means, and has a good rc.«i- 
praj' dence, together with a small tract of ten acres of 
land near the city limits, lie and his son are 
menil)ors of the (iernian Methodist Episcn]ial 
Church, and are held in high esteem by their neigh- 
bors and associates. 

The parents of our subject were Peter and Dirkc 
j Blom, who came to Ke(»kuk in 1857. The par- 
ental family consisted of si.\ children: Nicholas, 
] William. .John, Isaac; Katie became the wife of 
.lohn Kiewitt, and lives in Omaha, Neb.; Engelje 
lives in Amsterdam, Holland; all the boys reside 
p^' in Lee County. 
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ENRY FETT, a prosperous German farmer 
of Lee County, occupies a comfortable 
homestead in Van Biiren Townslii]), on sec- 
tion 22. lie is a native of Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, and was born in isii). At the age of 
eighteen he came to America, landing at New 
York, and thence proceeded to Ohio, locating in 
"S^c i Butler County, where he remained until 1854. He 
J then decided to visit the land beyond the Missis- 
[ sippi, ami setting his face westward crossed the 
^ Father of Watere and came into Lee C'ounty, where 



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he purchased a tract of land and commenced its 
improvement and cultivation. He was prosperous 
in the pursuit of his calling, became highly re- 
spected, and identified himself thoroughly with the 
interests of the communitj', contributing of his 
means and influence as opportunity occurred to ad- 
vance its welfare, morally, intellectually and finan- 
cially. 



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Mr. Fett occui)ies a fine dwelling, built of brick, t ,^ 

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two stories in height, 2(; x 3() feet in dimensions, 
with comfortable barns and outhouses for the stor- 
ing of grain and the shelter of stock, and in addi- 
tion to the ordinar3' duties of the farm is con- 
templating the breeding of flue stock another year. 

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage 
with Miss Eliz.abeth Ball in 1842. Of this union 
there were born eight children, one of whom died 
in iufancy. Mrs. Elizabeth Fett departed this life 
in 18(J2, in Ohio, and subsequently Mr. Fett was 
married to Miss Catherine Eckard, bj' whom he 
has had ten children, two sons and a daughter be- 
ing deceased. Mr. F. is a member in good stand- 
ing of the Lutheran Church, and in politics casts 
his vote for the best man, irrespective of [larty. 

The parents of Mr. Fett came to this country- in 
18;?7, when Martin Van Biiren was President. The3- 
were descended from excellent families, and were 
fair i-epreseutatives of the native worth and in- 
tegrity of the children of the " Fatherland." 



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^ ON ATHAN L. PEA.SE, an early settler of 
I Cedar Township, is an extensive farmer and 
highly esteemed citizen, carrying on agi'i- 
iltural operations on section IG. He 
crossed the Mississippi at an early period in the 
histoiy of Iowa, and since coming here has marked 
with undiminished interest the advance of civiliza- 5,^: 
tion in the beautiful country west of the Missis- 
sippi. No man who lias an intelligent Interest in 
the progress and development of his surroundings 
can refrain from rendering his best assistance to the 
industrial. or agriculluial interests of his section, and 
Mr. Pease has performed his part in this line of 
duty in a very creditable manner, and now stands 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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as one of the valued landmarks' between the past 
and the present. 

Mr. Pease is a native of Washington County, 
Pa., born in the township of Norstran, Feb. 18, 
1826. His father, Andrew Pease, and his grand- 
father, Nicholas Pease, removed to Pennsylvania 
from Maryland when the father of our subject was 
a youth fourteen years old. They were among the 
early settlers of that region, and purchased a tract 
of timber land in Washington County, and cleared 
a farm from the wilderness. Nicholas Pease was 
the father of two sons, and at his death the property 
was divided between them. Andrew Pease was 
twice married, his wife having been" Miss Mary 
Engle, who became the mother of nine children. 
The maiden name of the secund wife and the mother 
of our subject, was Mary Blakeney, a native of the 
North of Ireland. By her marriage with Andrew 
Pease she became the mother of five children, of 
whom the subject of our sketch was the youngest 
child. 

Jonathan L. Pease was reared on the farm uf his 
father, and at the death of the latter, he and his 
brother, Boyd E., purchased the interest of the 
other heirs and lived upon the homestead until 
1855. Jonathan L. then sold out, and turning his 
face westward came into Lee Count}', Iowa, and 
purchased eighty acres of land on section 16 in 
Cedar Township. Only forty acres of this was 
broken and fenced, but a log cabin had been built 
upon it. He here commenced his career as a. 
Hawkeye farmer, and since that time has added to 
his first purchase until he is now the owner of 346 
acres, all in one bodj' and tillable. He has brought 
the most of it to a high state of cultivation, and it 
is furnished with fine buildings, costl}' farm im- 
plements and machinery, and all the necessary ap- 
pliances for carrying on agriculture in the most 
modern and approved style. 

The marriage of Jonathan L. Pease and jNIiss 
Sarah J. Ilerron was celebrated in Washington 
County, Pa., Nov. 6, 1851. Mrs. Pease was born 
April 22, 1823, and b}' her union with our subject 
has become the mother of nine children, three of 
whom are deceased. The record is as follows: 
Emerj' H. and James M. are merchants at Mr.. 
Hamill, Iowa; Lizzie Etta is the wife of .lames P. 




Braiden, of Valley County, Neb. ; Forest B. M., 
Linnie F. and Charles H. are at home; Minnie, the 
twin sister of Linnie F.,died at the age of fourteen 
years; Albert died when one year old; Joseph A., 
the youngest child, died at the age of eight years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pease and two daughters are mem- 
bers of the .Sharon Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Pease has been connected with the United Presby- 
terian Church, and was for a time an Elder. 

Mr. Pease is an intelligent and observant man, 
well read, and possessing a valuable fund of in- 
formation upon all important matters of the day. 
He has been a prominent man in his township since 
coming here, and his councils have been sought 
upon matters of common interest. He has fulfilled 
his duties as a father and citizen creditably and 
conscientiously, and as a business man has been 
one of the valued factors of his community. He 
is genial and kindly in his disposition, and pos- 
sesses the confidence and esteem of a large circle 
of friends. 



ILLIAM A. DONNELL, a wealthy and 
representative citizen of Charleston Town- 
ship, crossed the Mississippi and came into 
Iowa while it was yet a Territory, in the spring' of 
1839. He occupies a fine estate of 280 acres on 
section 5, and is one of the largest property hold- 
ers in this vicinity, having thirty acres of valuable 
land on section 33 in Franklin Township, ten lots 
in one part of Donnellson Village, and six lots in 
block 1 3 of the village plat. He is also a stock- 
holder in the Agricultural Society of the county, 
and his farm is stocked with valuable specimens of 
high-grade cattle and Clj'desdale horses, his stallion, 
" Lion," being a registered animal of high pedigree 
and great value. 

Mr. Donnell came to the count}' poor in' purse, 
but with a rich fund of resolution and energy, and 
industriously set himself to work, determined to 
carve out his fortune and make for himself the 
charactei' of a man among men. It may not be 
too much to say that he has succeeded even beyond 
his expectations, and is now one of the prominent 




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landmarks of this section, having assisted in the 
progress of its industrial interests, and by his ex- 
ample encouraged others to du likewise. 
- .Mr. Donncll vv.is born near (ireensboro, (iuilford 

W Co.. N. C, on the 21st of March, ISlC. His father, 
floorge Donnell, w.is a fanner of North Carolina, 
of c-xcellent Sc-ottish ancestrj', and was married in 
his native county to Miss Dilley Paislej-, a native 
of the same {•f)untv and State, and of Scotch-Ger- 
man extraction. After the birth of four children 
the i)arents removed from their native State to 
Kentucky, where they only remained a few days, 
thence journe3'iiig to Illinois, and locating in Bond 
Count}- about the year 1821. The country was 
new and unbroken, and they settled upon a tract 
of wild land, whicii they immediately set about im- 
proving and cultivating, and remained there the 
remainder of their lives. The father died about 
18;)7; the mother had preceded him to the better 
land two 3'enrs previously, in 18.55. They were 
most excellent people, and prominently connected 

^Eji] with the Cumberland Presbyteiiau Church. 

William A. Donnell received his education in the 
pioneer log .vhool-hou.se. with its huge chimne}' 

DJ D and fircpl.ace, greased paper for window-panes, and 
,^_^- puncheons for door. He remained under the par- 
ental roof until he was sixteen years of .age, when 
he began his apprenticeship as a tanner and currier 
under the instruction of Thomas White, of Green- 
ville, III. After two years he worked as a ionrney- 
man, and was then appointed to the management 
of a shop for the firm of Harrison Bros., of Alton, 
111. He afterward changed his occupation, and 
was engaged as a hog I)uyer for a packing com- 
pany at Alton, in which he continued for some 
time, or until 1838, after which he crossed the 
Mississippi and came into Iowa. 

Mr. Donnell, in early youth, developed shrewd 
(q talents as a man of business, and by saving his 
} earnings was soon enabled to start in business on 
q his own hook. .Vfter coming into Lee County he 
purchased a drove of cattle, which he fed for a 
time and then disposed of at a good profit. His 
(lualities of industry and enterprise attracted gen- 
eral attention, luid secured for him a circle of warm 
friends and admirers. He was studious m his 
habits, and improved his leisure time iu the per- 





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usal of instructive books, at the same time keeping ::(i 
an r)bservant eye on what was going on around : [i 
him. Three years after coming into the county he 
was so far advanced iu the good opinions of the Ei 
l)e<»ple of this locality that he was selected b}- the Sti 

1 



State Senate, then convened at Iowa Cit}', to serve i- 
as Sergeant-at-Arms, and very soon afterward was fin 
ai)pointed Deput}- Sheriff, under Sheriff Hawkins se 
Taylor, now a resident of W.ishington, D. C. He C^ 
retained this position until the end of the term, 5; 
and afterward, during the war, w.as Supervis(,>r of Sj 
his township, and continued .serving during the 3 
years 1872-73-74. S; 

Mr. Donnell has always been a sympathizer with E^ 
the Republican part}', and has taken a deep interest S' 
in the political affairs of his locality, as well as its ji 
progress in agricultural and industrial matters. He ;' 
was instrumental iu locating the County Fair at 5 
this point, and assisted in platting the village, which ; 
includes an area of fifty acres. There is scarcely = "j- 
any imjiortant enterprise with which Mr. Donnell S' 
has not been identified, and his liberal and pui)lic s^ 5: 
spirit has had much to do witli liio rapid develop- El 
ment of this section. ; ~^ 

Mr. Donnell was married in Charleston Town- : 
shii) to Miss Kalista Hamilton, a native of New " 
York State, whose birth occurred in Huron County 
Dec. 12, 1823. Her f.ither, William Hamilton, - 
was a farmer by occupation, and came to Iowa at 
an early period in its history, making his first loca- 
tion in Charleston, and remaining in this township 
until the close of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Donnell 
became the parents of eight children, one of whom 
is deceased. The record is as follows: Dilly J. is 
the wife of J. K. McClen, of Kansas; Laura M. is \^ 
the wife of Dr. J. B. Carrey, of Dounellson, 111. ; ' ^ 
George W., a resident of Dounellson, is a miller by 
occupation, and married Miss Mary Coles, of Prim- 
rose; Philena H. is the wife of G. W. Holmes, of ^ 
Newton, Kan.; Mr. H. is engaged in real-estate 
business; Ida is the wife of William T. Benjamin, j 
a blacksmith of Donnellson; .lohn K. married Miss 
Ola Rigg, and is .-i resident of Schuyler County, 
111.; Thomas H. is manager of the homestead; he 
married Miss Emma .1. Spilke}-. of Bond County, 
111.; Charles died at the age of two years. Mrs. 
Donnell departed this life -Ian. 17. 1887, at the 



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riESiDENCEor J. K.CooNCY, Scc.4, Montrose Township. 



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,"\Lii jlnceof James P. Turner, Sec. 29., Jackson Township. 






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LEE COUNTY. 



231 



residence of her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Carrey, in 
Donnellson, Montgomery Co., 111. The family are 
prominently connected with the Cumherland Pres- 
liyterian Church, and in politics Jlr. Donnell is 
solidly- Republican. 




■€-^^B « 



T. LYNCH, an enterprising resident of the 
|, v.ate Citj', is prosperously engaged in the 
sale of flour and feed, his store being lo- 
cated at the intersection of Main and Twelfth 
streets. Mr. Lynch is a native of Lee County, hav- 
ing been born in Keoiiuk Nov. 30, 1857. His par- 
ents were James and Susan (Ardray) Lynch, natives 
respectively of West Virginia and Indiana. James 
J^yuch emigrated to Iowa from his native State 
in 1830, making his first location in Keokuk, which 
was then a city of very small proportions. He was 
an educated and intelligent man, and held the 
offices of Justice of the Peace, City Marshal, Su- 
pervisor, Constable, and also served as a police 
officer. During the war he enlisted as a Union 
§ soldier in Co. C, 3d Iowa "\'ol. Cav., being mustered 
in as a private and holding a Captain's commission 
at the close. The parental faniil}' consisted of six 
children, all of whom are living: Morgau A. served 
as a private in Company C ; Maria married C. W. 
Taylor; Matilda became the wife of A. J. Sm^th; 
Charles A. married Miss Peirson, of Des Moines; 
F. T. was the next in order of birth: Harry mar- 
ried jNIiss Jennie Clark, of Des Moines. 
] The subject of our sketch attended the public 
;; school until* he was eleven jears old, and was then 
I engaged as driver for the delivery-wagon of a 
; grocery store. He then went into the Wells & 
: Yennewine Flour Mills, and was afterward em- 
: ployed on a farm. He was then emploj'ed by Dr. 
: S. F. Baker, and assisted in the preparation and 
; packing of medicine. After this he was engaged 
; with the M. <fe D. P. White Bag Factory. After 
: this he was engaged with (ieorge D. Robinson in 
: learning the manufacture of trunks. He subse- 
" (pieutly worked in a brickyard, a fruit canning es- 
tablishment, a hide and leather store, and subse- 
_ quently visited the State of Mississippi, where he 
ri'tiiaiiied five mouths on the levee. He then be- 



came engaged as overseer on a cotton plantation, 
after which he came north to Keokuk, then went to 
Missouri, where he was employed on the farm of E. 
D. Richie, thence back to Keokuk, as shipping 
clerk in the Comstock Stove Works, and from 
there to the wholesale tinware department of the 
same house, where he was engaged as shipping 
clerk for five years. In 1885 he purchased the 
Keokuk pork store, which he sold out the following 
year, and in June of the same purchased the flour 
and feed store of Bower Bros., which he has since 
operated successfully. 

The marriage of F. T. Lynch and Miss Annie 
Stobbart was solemnized April 28, 1880, in Keo- 
kuk. IMrs. L^'neh is a native of Wales, and the 
daughter of William J. Stobbart, who was born in 
England, and emigrating to the United States, set- 
tled in Creston, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch are 
the parents of three children — Mabel A., Gertrude 
and Oscar. Mr. Lynch is independent in politics, 
a member of the Triple Alliance, and has an intel- 
ligent interest in all local and general matters. 
The family occupy a comfortable dwelling at No. 
1524 Concert street, and enjo}' the confidence and 
respect of a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. 



f^_^ENRY E. ALTON, of Keokuk, of the firm 
of Alton Bros., is successfully engaged with 
his partner in conducting one of the best 

iv^ livery stables in the Gate City. Their es- 
tal>lishment is located at Nos. 825 and S29 Main 
street, and their outfit consists of about twenty-five 
fine driving animals and a choice selection of con- 
vej'ances. The subject of our sketch is a native of 
Illinois, born in 1857, and the son of Henry and 
Elizabeth (Marsh) Alton, natives of the Empire 
State. After leaving New York State, Henry Al- 
ton became engaged in agriculture on the prairies 
of Illinois, and afterward for a short time was en- 
gaged in the livery business. He disposed of his 
interests there in 1.S72, and came to Keokuk, where 
he established the business which is now carried on 
by his two sons, and which he continued until his 
death, which occurred in 1881. The parental 




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M232 



LEE COUNTY. 



household included seven children, as follows: Lu- 
oretia, now Mrs. Gilchrist, is a resident of Keokuk; 
Thomas is the second son of tlie family i Mary. 
Mrs. Wells, is a resident of Keokuk; the next -.vas 
Henry, our subject; Maggie married Mr. Kerr, and 
Nellie is the wife of Mr. Robinson, b(jth of Keokuk; 
Birdie, the youngest, lives witii her mother in this 
city. 



Henry K. Alton of our sketch received a guod 
1 1 education in the public schools, and remained at 
I home until his father's death. Then, in. company 
! (1 with his brother Thomai, he purchased the inter- 
^^! est of the heirs in the livery Inisiness whicii their 
^ t father had established, ami they have maintained 
jy^-^1 its old-time popularity and success. Their courte- 
ous demeanor and straightforward methods of do- 
ing business, have constituted them one of the 
most popular firms in the (late City. 

Mr. Alton was married in IMS.i to Miss Minnie 
'' Swartz, of Keokuk, Iowa, an<l of their union a 
daughter has been born — Laurie M. The3- occupy 
P^ja handsome residence at Is'o. lOO'J Exchange street, 
and are surrounded by all the comforts and many 
of the luxuries of life. Mr. Alton is Rejiublican 
in politics, and is fully entitled to be classed as a 
valued citizen. 









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AKK \y. HOWKX, a prominent grocer and 
hotel-keeper of Montrose, is conducting a 
prosperous J>usiness, the stock in his store 
consisting of a large assortment of grocer- 
ies, provisions, glass and queensware. The busi- 
ness was established in 1860, and Mr. Boweu, by 
the exercise of vigilance and honorable dealing, 
has built up a tine trade, his sales some years ag- 
gregating the large sum of j^l l,li>(). 



ii^BTSept. -i.j. I«0.'). and departed this life Sept. 4. l>^:,'.\ 
1 ^n in Montrose, l(jwa. He was an enterprising busi- 
a fr^.'J iess man, possessing a fair education, and was en- 

:aged in the hotel business in this town. He was 
m adherent of the .Society of Friends, and Repub- 

iean in polities. In earl^- manhood he was united 




hg The parents of our subject were .lohn and Aim 
1 1 (Laubaugh) Uowen, natives of Chester County, Pa. 
I I John Bowen was of .Scotch-Irish parentage, liorit- 



in marriage with Miss Ann Laubaugh, a daughter 
of .John and .Sarah (Naylor) Laubaugh, her birth 
occurring April 11, 18i;3. .lohn Laubaugii w:is a 
native of Chester County, Pa., and his decease oc- 
curred some j'ears ago: the excellent wife and 
mother had preceded him to the better laud alioul 
the year 1S18. The household consisted of four 
children, of whom Henrj- and Mary died in in- 
fancy; Catherine became the wife of Mr. George 
Fetters, and Ann married Mr. Bowen, father of the 
subject of our sketch. She was reared in tlie Pres- 
bj'teriaii faith. 

John IJowen came to the Territory of Iowa in 
1842. Upon his first visit he onl3' remained aliout 
two months and then returned East. In 1^4.) he 
again turned his steps westward, and decided to lo- 
cate in Lee Count\'. His wife accompanied him. 
and they lived in the old barracks or block-house 
whit^h was built for the protection of the whites 
against the Indians, and there their last two chil- 
dren were born. The record of the family is as 
follows: John L., born Feb. 5, 1832, in Chester 
County, Pa., was fatally' stabbed at Niipoleon, in 
February, 18,08; Thirza, born Feb. 6, 183.5, in Penn- 
sylvania, died Jan. 31, 1887, in Montrose, Iowa; 
HoUen was born June 5, 1838, in Penns^'lvania, and 
died Aug. 21, 18G6, at Cairo, 111.; Amanda M., 
born .Sept. 28, 1843, in Pennsylvania, died at Nau 
voo. 111., Dec. 20, 1845; Emma, born May 23, 
18')1, i.s now Mrs. Magoun; Park W., born Dec. o, 
18.53, at Montrose, Iowa. 

The subject of this biography was the youngest 
child of his parents' family. He remained under 
the parental roof and grew to j'ears of manhood, 
and Nov. 23, 1880, was united in marriage with 
Miss Lena L. Reeves. Mrs. Bowen is the daugh- 
ter of James and Mary (Daggett) Reeves. The 
former is a native of Ohio, born in 1830, and the 
latter. l)orii in 1834, came from the Province of 
New Brunswick, N. S. ; they are now residents of 
.Montrose Township. Their household consisted of 
three ehildien ; Lena, Mrs. Bowen, is their eldest 
child; Adelaide became the wife of C. I). Lertler, 
now of Maryville, Mo. ; George M. is unmarried. 
The date of Mrs. Bowen's birth was Oct. 6, ISafi. 
She came West with her parents and resided with 
them until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen are 



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the parents of two children, George T. and Bessie. 
Mr. Bowen has been remarkahl}' prosperous in 
his business, which was established in 18!S0. He is 
I a straightforward business man, courteous and 
I obliging to his customers, and has built up a fine 
trade. In politics he is strongly Republican, and 
sociallj' belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a 
I member of Joppa Lodge No. 136, A. F. & A. M., 
at Montrose, and is also connected with the East- 
ern Star, Martha Chapter No. 5. He is fulfilling 
all the ol)ligations of a good citizen and accumu- 
lating a competenc}'. 



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RfS. CATHARINE PECH.STEIN, of Keo- 
kuk, is a highly respected lady, whose 
name is familiar among the old-time resi- 
dents of the city. .She is of excellent Ger- 
man ancestry, the daughter of Adam and Margaret 
(Marklin) Kirchner, who were natives of Bavaria, 
emigrated to America in 1847, and settled at 
Charleston, Lee Countj', in the pioneer days. 
There, her father purchased a farm of thirty acres, 
to which he subsequently added until he became 
the possessor of 300 acres, upon which he is still 
living at the advanced age of eighty-three years. 
The faithful wife and mother departed this life the 
year following their settlement here, her decease 
occurring in 1848. The household cu-cle included 
six children, of whom one is deceased. John is a 
resident of Lee County- and engaged in farming; 
Barbara, Jlrs. Kirchiier, lives in Clark County, 
Mo. ; Catharine is the subject of this sketch; George 
is engaged in farming in this county ; Andrew is in 
Keokuk. 

Miss Catharine Kirchner was married at Keokuk 
to Mr. Conrad Pechstein in 1858. Mr. Pechstein 
was a native of Bavaria, and born Oct. ID, 1828. 
He became a soldier in the German army, enlisting 
in the cavahy service, and was a soldier for some 
years. He subsequently served an apprenticeship 
at the' baker's trade, which he followed until com- 
ing to America in 1852. Upon arriving in the 
United States he proceeded to Keokuk, and was en- 
gaged in the brewery business for the following 
nine \ears. Then, in company with Mr. Nagle, he 



purchased the Keokuk Brewery, and continued the 
business until his death, which occurred April 24, 
1873. Their family consisted of five children, one 
of whom, Conrad J., died in infancy; Henry is en- 
gaged in brewing; their only daughter was named 
Lizzie; George is also engaged in the brewery 
business with his brother; John W. is engaged in 
the drug business in Keokuk. 

Mr. Pechstein was Republican in polities and a 
member of the Order of Druids. Since the death 
of her husband Mrs. Pechstein has managed the 
propertj' judiciously and successfully. She pur- 
chased her present home in 1874, and is the owner 
of three lots and another dwelling. Her home is 
at No. 1322 Blondeau street, and is surrounded 
with evidences of a cultivated taste and ample 
means. Her son bids fair to succeed to the busi- 
ness capacities of his father, and the family are 
held in the highest respect by the community. 



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LVIN J. COLE, M. D., an ex-surgeon of 
the United States Arm}', is a skillful and 
experienced practitioner, and holds a high 
position among his brethren in the profes- 
sion in this part of the Hawkeye State. Dr. Cole 
was born at Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y.. on the 8th of 
November, 1837. He is a son of Nelson and Huldah 
(Carpenter) Cole, the former a native of Cornwall, 
Conn., and the mother of Weedsport. N. Y. The 
family removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., in May, 
1850, where the father died in 186(;. The mother 
is still living in that cit}'. The household circle in- 
cluded seven children, of whom five are still living: 
Emily is the wife of Dr. A. C. Roberts ; Henry re- 
sides at Sheboygan, .Mich.; Nelson is deceased; Al- 
vin J.; Alanson and Benjamin are at Ann Arbor; 
C<arc)line is deceased. 

The subject of our sketch received his primary 
education at Ann Arbor, and graduated from the 
University in the class of 185',)-()0; previous to 
this he was for three years in the literary de|>art- 
ment. He entered the United States service in the 
first 3'ear of the Rel)ellion, and in less than a year 
thereafter was commi-ssioned Assistant .Surgeon of 



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234 



LEE COUNTY. 




ii 



the 14th Regiment, Mich. Vol. Inf. Reserved un- 
til nearly the close of the war. and was mustered 
out at Fa^'etteville, X. ('. Rctuniinji; to Michigan 
he conimeuced practice at Ann Arbor, and followed 
iiig profession tliere until 1872, when he came to 
Ft. Miidisoii. 

\)r. Cole was appointed United (States E.xaniining 
Surgeon for pensions in 1«77, and has retained the 
position since that time, lie is n gentleman of 
strong force of character and decided views, and is 
actively interested in everything that pertains to 
the pultlic welfare, lie is a dose student and ex- 
tensive reader, and has always aimed to e.xcel. P<j- 
litically he is a stanch advocate of the principles of 
the Democratic l)arty, with wliicli lie uniformly 
casts his vote. 

--^ oX>-®v>-v®-<>*«> v^ 

IIARLKS l-Kli;i)KlCK, of Ft. .Madison, is 
a fine representative of that stanch, reliable 
and enterprising (ierman element which has 
ilone so much toward the settlement and develop- 
ment of the Hawkeye State. He came to America 
in 1.H40. and three years there.aftcr located in the 
Territory of Iowa, being one of its pioneer set- 
tlers, lie has seen great things in his day, and 
watched the progress and advancement of his 
adopted .State with the unselfish interest of a good 
citizen .and permanent resident, and has contributed 
his (|Uota toward bringing about the present degree 
of civilization and prosperity. 

Mr. Friedrick is a native of Haden, (Germany, 
and his birth occurred Sept. Hi, 1«1'J. He entered 
the schools of his native land at the early .age of 
si\ years and remained as a pupil for seven years 
thereafter, when lie started out for himself, and 
found employment in a French cutlery shop, his 
wages amounting to about 81 per week. He con- 
tinued thus employed for three years, and then en- 
gaged in butchering, receiving about the same 
wages and his board until nineteen years of age. 
He then determined to seek in the New World for 
something better than he had yet known, and in 
the month of .March, 1840, set sail from Havre de 
(irace, and after a prosperous voyage of thirty 
days, landed in New York City. From there he 



I 



proceeded directly to Ohio, locating in Chillicothe. 
where he engaged in butchering, receiving for liL- 
first 3'ear's labor ^■l') and his lioard. He reinaiued 
there for three years, and then started for the Ter- 
ritoiy of Iowa, via the Ohio and the .Mississippi 
Rivers. He landed at Ft. .Madison, which was 
then only a small town, and .set up business on his 
own account as a butcher and dealer in provisions. 
He was successful in his undertaking, and contin- : 
lied it for sixteen years. Afterward, during the 
winter season, he engaged in packing pork, and 
carried on farming the remainder of the year, until 
1878, at which time his slaughter-house was de- 
stroyed by a cyclone. He then abandoned the 
butchering business, and since that time was en- 
gaged exclusively in agricultural pursuits until 
1882, when he rented his farm, and now lives re- 
tired from the active duties of life. 

Charles Friedrick and Miss Luaniia Kinsley were 
married in 1845. Mrs. h\ is a native of Germany, 
born Oct. 28, 1824, and came to America with her 
parents at the earh' age of seven j'ears. Of this 
union six children were born, the record of whom 
is as follows: Joseph lives in Urbana, Ohio; L. W. 
is a resident of F^t. Madison; Annie became the 
wife of Lou Hinsy, and lives in Ft. Madison, as 
also does William'; Mary is the wife of Charles Ad- 
rick, of Ft. Madison; Charles .T. lives on the home- 
stead farm. 

In earl}' life Mr. Friedrick was a member of the ; 
Whig party, but considers that he had reason to ^ 
change his political views, and he now votes the ■ 
straight Democratic ticket. In the course of his e;i- 
reer as a prominent business man, he has made ex- 
tensive acquaintances in the surrounding country 
and is exceedingly- popular. He once sold a <h\'j. 
to Jo-seph Smith, the famous Mormon Prophet of 
Nauvoo. As Mr. .Smith did not paj' him in full [ 
for the 'log, Mr. Friedrick called upon him for the : 
balance of the money, and had the honor of dining 
with the Prophet and twelve Apostles. 

The parents of Mrs. Friedrick, Jacob and Annie : 
Kinsley, emigrated to America in 1881, making : 
their first settlement in Pennsylvania, thence com- .- 
ing to Ft. Madison. From tliere they removed : 
to \ .-111 Uureii Ctiunty, where they lived for ii 
lime and then returned to Ft. Madison, which re- 




^^^^H 



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K^^^JjJt 



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: mained their home until their decease. The father 

i departed this life in November. 1884, and the 

i mother in Fehriiar}-, 1885. Tiiey were both eighty- 

i three jears old at the time of their death, and had 

; |E lived together in peace and harnii>ny for the long 

{ i^ term of nearlj' sixty-five years. 




lj;ILLIAM PRANGER, a prominent and val- 
W/VI/ "^*^ citizen of Ft. Madison, is carrying on 
successfully one of the finest livery' stables 
:; in the citj^. He thoroughlj' understands his busi- 
: ness. is courteous and obliging to his large circle 
5 of patrons, and is meeting with success in his call- 
's ing. Mr. Pranger is a native of Germany, his 
j^; birth taking place at Hanover, Jan. 3, 1850. His 
i?5 father, Bernard Henry Pranger, was a native of 
liS the same Province as his son, and a carpenter by 
1 :- S trade. He was a man of great energy of character, 
i;: industrious and amliitious, and was not contented 
iSS either with his condition or his prospects in his na- 
1 |S tive country. He therefore concluded to emigrate 
ass to America, which for over a century has been the 
'iJjS promised land for the energetic and enterprising 
a;> man. Accordingly, in 1852, he set sail with his 
"1?: wife and six children for the New World. After a 
V; prosperous voyage they landed in New York City, 
"iL; where the}' tarried but a short time, thence pro- 
!|ic coeding to St. Louis, Mo., where they located and 
for the first three years. They then 

tract of 
lit: lantt ni >\ asuingion iownsuip. The only iniprove- 
il- ment upon the place was a log cabin, and into this 
j|=; the family moved and made themselves as com- 
||ls fortable as possible. The father began to improve 
tj: the farm, and in the course of time had a number 
Wii of acres under good cultivation. He met with 
many difficulties and discouragements, but he was 
not a man to give up and he i)uslied right on, mak- 
ing the best of circumstances. He lived to see his 
family comfortal)l>' established in a good home, 
and departed this life in 1872. The household 
\y'- circle included the following: Nicholas, who lives 
M-u 111 n ii^uiiiguuu Township: Ben, in Ft. Madison; 
Jj? the subject of our sketch was the third son: Theo- 
ilore also resides in Ft. Madison : Mary is the wife 



Y^s remained 

Jrs came into Lee County and purchased a 

iiti land in Washington Township 






of Stephen Myers, and they live in Burlington; 
Annie married Herman Schultz, and lives in Ft. 
JNLadison. 

William Pranger was a child of two years old 
when his parents emigrated to America, and five E 
years of age when the}' came into Lee County. 
He is thus fully entitled to be called a pioneer set- 
tler. At an early age he began to assist his pai-- 
ents in the lighter duties around the homestead, 
and when but a boy of twelve years went nut to 
work. He received from ^10 to $1.') per montli, 
and was naturall}' liright and industrious, making- 
friends wherever he went. As he grew older his 
wages were increased, but he lived econoiuically, 
saved what he could of his earnings, and in lf<G!) 
c*>mmeneed business for himself by opening a res- 
taurant at Ft. Madison. Seven years later he pur- 
chased the half interest of William Pritchard, who 
was carrying on a livery stable, and finally pui- 
chased the interest of liis partner and conducted 
the business alone. He has been successful from TI fji 
the beginning and keeps some of the best animals . " " 
and vehicles to be found in the city. 

The marriage of William Pranger and Miss Kate 
Bentledge was celebrated Sept. 20, 187C. Mrs. 
Pranger is a native of St. Louis, Mo., an amiable 
and intelligent lady, and of this union there have 
been born three children: Mary, known as^Lamie; 
Eddie B., the eldest, was born Sept. i), 1877, and 
died March 22, 1879; Robert died when five years ||; | 
of age. Mr. and Mrs. Pranger are members in mM 
good standing of St. Joseph's Church. 



m 




J-/ILLIAM BRANDES, of Ft. Madison, a 
pioneer of Lee Count}' of 1850, has now 
been a respected resident of this section ^ 
for the larger part of forty years. He is a native 
of Brunswick, Germany, the date of his birth being- 
April 4, 1819. His childhood years were jjassed 
under the parental roof and in attendance at the 
public schools, after which he learned the shoe- 
maker's trade, which he followed in his native 
country until 1845. Not being satisfied with his 
condition or prospects in the land of his birth, he 
decided to emigrate to the United States. He ac- 



^ 






■ ■ 11 "-1.1 LXAAXi r r rx T XA ^ 1 1 rr 




inii! 



Sin a 



ii 



n 



mm 



236 



LEE COUNTY. 





c-ordingly set sail, and after a prosperous voyage 
lanrU'd in New Orleans, thence proceeding to St. 
Lonis, -Mo., wiiere he rem-iinod for three months, 
and .'ifterward went to •juincy. 111., where he 
staid until the following year, when he crossed 
the Mississippi and c-inie to Ft. Madison, where he 
had friends, lie was pleased with the locality and 
concluded to remain here, liut soon afterward, 
however, was induced to change liis plans and be- 
come a soldier in the I'nitcd States army, tliis 
country then being at war with jNIexico. His regi- 
ment was first commanded by (ion. Taylor at 
Monterey, and was then transferred to the command 
of Gen. Winfield Scott at Vera Cruz, and our sub- 
ject participated in all the engagements of that 
campaign. At the termination of the war he was 
mustered oiit at St. Louis, and remained in that 
city until 1H.50, after which he removed to Ft. 
Madison and followed his trade for the following 
ten years, when he was obliged to abandon wori< at 
the bench on account of impaired health. 

From this time until 18(i4 Mr. Brandes was in 
the employ of a produce firm, and was then ap- 
pointed watchman of the Mound Cit^' Nav}^ Yards 
on the Ohio River, which position he retained for 
three years. He then returned to Ft. Madison and 
then started for Germany, remaining one year and 
nine months. On his return he engaged with the 
firm by whom he was formerly emi)loyed, remain- 
ing with them this time for the space of seven j'ears, 
and since then has been night watchman in the city. 
Possessing the characteristics of his countrymen he 
has been industrious and economical, and saved his 
earnings, and is now in possession of a comfortable 
and pleasant two-story brick residence, in the west- 
ern part of the city, which was erected in 1884, at 
a cost of $1,800. 

Mr. Brandes obtained his naturalization papers as 
soon as possible after coming to the United States, 
and takes an active interest in the affairs of his 
adopted country. For a few years he affiliated with 
the Democratic party, but during the war consid- 
ered that he had reason to change his opinions, and 
is now a stanch liepublican. 

The subject of our sketch was married in 1848, 
in St. Louis, Mo., to Miss Christine Olendorf, of 
Germany, who emigrated to the United States in 



■'i 



1847. She did not long remain the companion of 
her luisband, her death occurring in 1853. Of this 
marriage there were no children. The second mar- 
riage of .Mr. Brandes occcurred in 18."),5, when he 
was united to Miss Johanna Pinkepank, who is a 
native of his own countr}'. and came to America in 
18.54. Of this union there are five children liv- 
ing: Minnie is the wife of Conrad Hoyer, and 
resides in Lee County ; Charles; Louise is the wife 
of Mr. (Jus Buckolz; the others are Willie and 
Henry ; two daughters, Sophia and Lena, died when 
twenty-two jears of age. Mr. Brandes belongs to 
the Lutheran Church, and is greatl3' respected b^' 
his fellow-townsmen. 



"irWl 



liiSiyjsiiiK.'iJi^i 







ENRY' SHINSTOCK, a well-to-do and suc- 
cessful farmer of Marion Township, was 
born in the Empire of Germany, April 4, 
1 833, on a farm. His father, Casper Shin- 
stock, was a farmer by calling, and followed his vo- 
cation in the ■' faderland." The mother of our 
subject, Anna Shinstock, was also a native of Ger- 
many, and slie and her good husband continued to 
live in that countr}' until their death. Fourteen 
children were born to them, nine of whom lived to 
attain the age of maturity. 

Henry Shinstock lived on his father's farm and 
assisted in the maintenance of the family' until he 
was his own man. He then, hoping to better his 
financial condition in the free Republic beyond the 
ocean, emigrated to this country and disembarked 
at New Orleans. From th.at city he went to St. P 
Louis, Mo., where he remained for about three 
years, working the major portion of the time in a 
brick3'ard. With money which he had saved by 
days' labor he purchased a team of horses, that is, 
he paid half cash and went in debt for the remain- 
der. He, however, followed teaming there for 
awhile, and then disposing of his team by sale, ; 
came to Ft. Madison, this State. Here he ran a k 
brickyard, but this being at the same time the late gjj 
Civil War was in progress, the business proved un- 
profitable. He then engaged in farming on rented 
land in Marion Township, which he followed in this 
manner for four years. At the expiration of this 







LEE COUNTY. 



237 



li s 



time he had the snug little sum of $700. He then 
bought a farm for iil,300. and paying his *700 
down, went in delit for the balance. The place 
consisted of 100 acres, and (^nr subject went to 
work with all the energy he could bring to l)ear to 
clear his place of indebtedness. He soon did so, 
adding to the same from time to time, and now 
has 335 acres of choice land, which is located in 
the garden spot of Lee County. He has erected a 
good brick residence, substantial barn and out- 
buildings, and is now enabled to enjoy the fruits of 
a laborious and successful past. He h.as dealt ex- 
tensively in the raising of cattle, and out of this 
branch of his calling has made a portion of his 
money. His horses are of the Clydesdale breed, 
of which he has some fine specimens on his place. 

Mr. Shinstock was married to Miss Katie H. 
Holznekempfe, in 1860. She was born in German}', 
whence our subject went after and married her. 
Eleven children have been born to them, five sons 
and six daughters, namely, Casper, Henry, Anna, 
.Theodore, Peter, Theresa, Christ, Mary, Katie, Liz- 
zie and Maggie. Mr. Shinstock and his wife, to- 
gether with his children, are members of the St. 
James Catholic Church of St. Paul. In politics 
Mr. Shinstock votes the Democratic ticket. 

A view of the handsome residence and surround- 
ings of Mr. Shinstock is shown on another page. 

\l p— ^T REDERICK BALL, a prosperous German 
i^Js) farmer of Charleston Township, having a 
_i comfortable homestead on section 9, was 

born Nov. 11, 1827, and remained a resident of his 
native Germany until 1848. In the spring of that 
year, not being satisfied with his prospects in his 
native land, he decided to emigrate to the United 
States. After arriving upon American shores he 
proceeded to New Jersey, where he was engaged 
as a baker for two years. He then went to New 
York City, remaining there until 1855; thence went 
to Hamilton, Ohio, and after a sojourn of two 
months, set his face for the farther West, and, cross- 
ing the Father of Waters, landed in Lee County. 
His first location was made in Franklin Township, 
which continued his home for the four years fol- 



lowing. In the fall of 1859 he came to Charleston 
Township, rented land for three years, and then 
purchased his present homestead. It consists of 312 
acres, all in one body, and is highly impi'oved and 
valuable. He has a good farm residence, a substan- 
tial liarn and all necessary out-liuildings. and is 
passing his d.ays in peace and comft>rt, occupied 
with the various pursuits of the farm. 

Mr. Ball was married, in Franklin Township, to 
Miss Margaret Whertvine, also a native of Ger- 
many, and <^if this union there were born eleven 
children, four of whom died in infancy. Those 
surviving are — John, P'rederick, Mary, Barbara, 
Jacob. Henry and Peter. Mr. and Mrs. B. are 
members in good standing of the German Lutheran 
Chni-ch, and in politics Mr. B. is a conscientious 
Democrat. He has been enterprising and industri- 
ous, upright and honorable in his transactions, and 
enjoys the respect of his neighbors and acquaint- 
ances. 

-^ €-i-^ ^^ 

OBERT E. HILL, a prosperous farmer and 
stock-grower, occupies a fine tract of land 
on section 12, in Harrison Township, and 
S!is carrying on the different branches of his 
business intelligently and profltabl}-. Mr. Hill is a 
native of Wayne County, Ind., born June 26, 1840, 
and is the son of William and Zilphia (HoUowell) 
Hill, natives respective!}-, of Ohio and North Caro- 
lina. William Hill was born Oct. 5, 1804, and wasi 
reared on a farm, receiving his eariy education in 
the common schools. After attaining his majority 
he emigrated to Indiana and engaged in mercantile 
pursuits at Richmond, being thus occupied for the 
following four j'ears. He then abandoned that 
business and resolved to become a farmer. He 
ci-ossed the Father of Waters in 1 843, and purchased 
forty acres of land in Lee County, Iowa. To this 
he added another forty acres, upon which he es- 
tablished a homestead and remained until his death, 
which occurred F"eb. 1, 1869. He had been reared 
in the (Quaker faith, and clung to his early religion 
throughout his lifetime. He was Repub'iean in 
politics, was a good man, and highly esteemed in 
his communit}'. 

William Hill was married to Miss Zilphia Hoi- 




B 



I 



I 






W 

mm 



'■2ZkM^^^^^ 



•23« 



LEE COUNTY. 



m 



lowcll <m tlic 20Th of December, 1H.51. the wedding 
occurring in Hifliniond, Ind. The piuents of Mrs. 
Hill, Exuin and Ckriiej' (Fort) Ilollowell, were n!i- 
tives of North Carolina, and their daughter was 
l)orn March 20, 18n7. The family of William Hill 
consisted of six children, as follows: Susanna be- 
came the wife of Benjamin Cook; Julia A. mar- 
ried John McGreer; Patience died at the age of 
two years; Edmund was a soldier in the late war, 
and died in the hospital at Chattanooga, Tenn. ; 
the fifth child was Robert E., the subject of our 
sketch; Elizabeth l)ecamc the wife of Jesse Mc- 
Millan. 

Robert E. Hill ivas united in marriage with Miss 
Miiry .McMillan, Feb. 1), \XM. .Mrs. Hill is a na- 
tive of J>ee County, and her birth took ijlacc Oct. 
.11, l«ll. Her parents were Amos and Hannah 
(.\i'mitage) .McMillan, natives of I'enns^'lvania. 
The mother is now deceased, but the father is still 
living. They were the jiareiits of seven children, 
three of whom are married and established in 
homes of their own. Robert E. Hill and his wife 
have become the parents of four children — diaries 
E., Samuel H., Lanora and I'etie Roy. 

The homestead of Mr. Hill comprises a beautiful 
furiu dwelling and 700 acres of land. He has been 
successful in his agricultural pursuits and stock- 
raising, and has a herd of some of the finest cattle 
to be found in the Mississi|)pi Vallej'. He is a 
gentleman of energy- and enterprise, and his farm 
estate will bear comparison with anything of the 
kind in Lee County. Mr. Mill is held in high re- 
spect by the community of which he is a member, 
and in politics is a conscientious Republican. 

R. P. J. PAYNE, a prominent and popular 
member of the medical profession of the 
Gate City, is a native of Frankford, Pike 
Co., Mo., and was born on the 3d of July, 
He is the son of Dr. O. B. and Elizabeth 
(Payne) Payne, natives of Connecticut. The 
mother of our subject departed this life in 1856. 
and Dr. O. B. Payne, the father, is a resident of 
Ferndale, Cal.. and retired from the active duties 
of life. He has been prominent in liis i)rofession, 




a member of the Clark .Medical Society, and dur- 
ing the war, Surgeon-in-Chicf of the 3d Division 
of the 17th Army Corps. He has also been con- 
nected with the State Medical Society of Missouri 
and the American Medical Association, and repii- 
sented his county in the (ieneral Assembly of Mis- 
souri. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
and of the I. O. O. F., and organized in Nortii- 
westeru Missouri, the order called the Knights ol 
Malta. During the war. Dr. Payne, the elder, w;i.-- 
also connected with the Kith Mi.ssouri Lifantry, a> 
chief medical ofllcer in the regiment, and whcrevci 
he was located, whether in military or civil life, wa.-? 
tacitlj' .acknowledged ,as a foremost man and a 
leader among his fellows. In IMSd he wiis ap- 
pointed a delegate from California to the President- 
ial Convention, and w.as instructed to cast his vote 
for Gen. Grant. 

The parental family of our sulijecl included six 
children, three sons and three daughters: P. J. is 
the eldest child in the family; George A., an editor, 
is a resident of California; Henry C. is foreman of 
a printing-office in Omaha, Neb.; Florence married 
S. JL Mitchell, a farmer of California; Alice A. 
became the wife of James Groves, a commission 
merchant of Ferndale, Cal. ; Isabel married Frank 
Turnej', an architect, and lives in California. 

The subject of our biography spent most of his 
3'ounger (lays in his native State, and received :i 
fair education in the public schools. After arriving 
at years of manhood, he made quite an extensive 
tour of the Northwest, spending two years in travel, 
and upon returning home entered upon the study 
of medicine at St. Francisville, under the instruc- 
tion of his father. He went into the iirmj' with 
the latter, and assisted him as surgeon in his duties 
among the wounded soldiers, which proved a valua- 
ble experience. Previous to this, however, he had 
attended a course of lectures at the Keokuk College 
of Physicians and Surgeons, and also graduated 
from the medical department of the Iowa Stale 
University. 

After the resignation of liis father as a surgeon 
in the army, our subject was commissioned surgeon 
of the lOth Missouri Infantry, and remained in tlie 
service of the Government until the close of the 
war. He then returned to .Missouri, :ind located at 




Bhi 





^!bSE2E2H£^^ 



s^^m. 



jSS^S^^ 




•SSS^ 



LEE COUNTY. 



ST- 
241 



11 



Luiay, in Clark County, where he engaged in the 
practice of medicine until the spring of 18S1, when 
he entered upon the practice of his profession here, 
in which he has been continuously engaged since 
that time, his office being located at No. 12 South 
Third street. 

Dr. Payne and Miss Frances A. Ochiltree were 
united in marriage in 1808. Mrs. Payne is a native 
of Vineennes, Ind., and daughter of G. M. Ochil- 
tree, who was County Clerk of Clark Count}% Mo. 
Of this union there have been born two children — 
Benjamina O. and Winnifred. The Doctor and his 
family occupy a pleasant residence at No. 708 Des 
Moines street. They are held in high esteem by 
the best class of residents, and the Doctor has an 
extensive pr.actice, not only in this locality, but is 
often called as consulting ph3'sician to his native 
State of Missouri. He is Republican in politics, 
belongs to the Keokuk Medical Society, and was 
formerly a member of the Clark County (Mo.) 
Medical Society. He is a member in good standing 
of the I. O. O. F.,and stands high among the mem- 
bers of the profession in this locality. 




THOMAS EVANS, oecupjnng a prominent 
position among the industrial interests of 
Keokuk, is a native of Chester County, En- 
gland, and was born March G, 1823. He is the son 
of John and Margaret (Jones) Evans, natives of 
the same country as their sou, and of English an- 
cestrj' and parentage. The subject of this sketch 
was the fifth of a famil}' of six children who gath- 
ered around the parental hearthstone, and from his 
earlier years was trained to habits of industry and 
honesty. When he became of suitable age he 
served an apprenticeship of seven years at boiler- 
making and ship-building, and followed this joint 
occupation until 1850, when he left his native coun- 
try and emigrated to America. His first location 
after arriving here was at Schenectady, N. Y., 
where he became foreman in a boiler works estab- 
lishment, remaining there for one year. He then 
went to Pennsylvania, where he secured the posi- 
tion of foreman in the shops of the New York & 
Erie Railroad, located at Susquehanna, and oecu- 



In the winter of i 
I 

G he started westward across the Mississippi to 



pied this position for five years 
18. 

Iowa, and locating in Keokuk, formed a partnership 
with Richard Holloway for the purpose of manu- 
facturing boilers. They operated together about 
two years, when they closed out the business, and jjll 
Ml-. Evans, going to St. Louis, engaged as a Gov- 
ernment employe for the manufacture of gun-boats 
for a year, and then returning to Keokuk, entered 
the shops which are now owned by the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific Railway. Of these he was 
foreman from 18G3 to 1884, when he was obliged 
to abandon the business of a machinist on account 
of ill-health, and is now retired from active labor. 

Mr. Evans, in early manhood, was married in 
Susquehanna, Pa., to Miss Catharine Anderson, a 
native of his own country, who bore him three 
children : Jennie L. is the wife of Peter Lamb, 
and resides in Bloomington, 111.; William P., pos- 
sessed of the genius of his father, is a skilled ma- 
chinist, employed in the shops of the C, R. I. & P. 
R. R. at Keokuk; Laura L. died in infancy. Mrs. 
Catharine Evans died in Susquehanna, Pa., April 
19, 1855. The second marriage of Mr. Evans took 
place at Ma3'svi]le, Ky., where he was united with 
Miss Sarah Bullen, also a native of England, and of 
this union there was born one child, John J. S., 
who died when less than two years old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Evans have a pleasant home in 
Keokuk, and are surrounded by all of the comforts 
and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. E. is inde- 
pendent in politics, and socially is a member in 
good standing of Eagle Lodge No. 12, A. F. & 
A. M. A lithographic portrait of Mr. Evans is 
shown on the opposite page. 




^^EORGE WILSON, a pioneer settler of Jef- 
[|| __ ferson Township, is an industrious and fairi}' 
^^( successful farmer, occupying a comfortable 
homestead on section 2. He came to Lee County 
in 1833, and has been an interested witness of the 
marvelous development of a rich section of country. 
He crossed the Mississippi River from Hancock 
County, 111., and entered a tract of land which had 
then not even been surveyed. Tliis he islowly im- 




: ijnuurm: 




•242 



LEE COUNTY. 



T 



proved and cultivated, and when it came into mar- 
ket secured his title from the Oovernment. The 
farming implements of that period were of the 
rudest description, ami it took abundant toil to ac- 
complish even small results. Hut Mr. Wilson per- 
severed in his undertakina :ini1 rmally established 
a comfortable home. 

The father of oursuliject. Hugh Wil.sou, was born 
[lear Lexington, Ky.,and after arriving at years of 
manhood went down to Tennessee and settled at a 
point on tlie Cumberland River, where in due time 
he was united in marriage with Miss .Susan Stiles. 
His bride was born and reared in Tennessee, and 
was of German and Irish descent and parentage. 
After their marriage they removed to Indiana, set- 
tling near the Wabash River, whence, after a time 
they proceeded to C'liristian County, Ky., and later 
crossed the Mississippi and went into Missouri, then 
proceeded South to Arkansas; after a time they re- 
turned to Missouri, and n little later went to Schuy- 
ler County, III., where they settled near the county 
seat. Rushvilie, and Hugh AVilson hewed the logs 
for the first court-house that was built in the Latter- 
named county. 

In 1H;51 Hugh Wilson, with his f.<imily, removed 
from Illinois, and the third time crossed the F.ither 
of Waters, settling in what is now Jefferson Town- 
ship. Here they im])roved a farm which was located 
in the first bottoms of the Mississippi, and known 
as Sand Prairie. They labored industriously and 
watched with unab.nted interest the growth and de- 
velopment of the Hawkeye State. Upon this farm 
the parents passed the remainder of their lives, and 
only one of their children is left to perpetuate their 
name, George Wilson lieing the only surviving mem- 
ber of a family of six sons and three daughters. 
The parents departed this life some j^ears before the 
breaking out of the late Rcl)ellion. 

George Wilson remained with his parents through 
the various changes of location which occurred un- 
til they came to Iowa. He was born in J.ackson 
County, Tenn., July '22, 180!), and after arriving at 
years of manhood was married near Rushvilie, 
22q Schuyler Co., III., to .Miss Rebecca Wallace, of Jack- 
son County, Tenn.. wlio was born in ISTi. Her 
I father was a farmer by occupation, and removed 
I from Tennessee to Illinois, where he died many years 




ago. The mother survived him several years, and » i 
died in Jefferson Township, this State. They were ~ 
most excellent and worthy people, .-ind reared their gi 



1 



children lo upright and honorable lives. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of ten 
children, of whom the following are living: .Susan 
is the wife of Benjamin Drollingcr, a farmer of 
Jefferson Township; Eliza A. married Henry 
Mitchell, and they also live on a farm in this town- 
shii) ; ( leorge married Miss Lucy Steward, and man- 
ages his father's homestead; Hannah is the wife of 
.lolin Ilatton, a farmer of Cass County, .Mo. 

Mr. Wilscm is the owner of 4-tO .acres of land, ^ 
mostly improved. He has been quite extensively S 
engaged in stock-raising, and is in all respects a 
straightforward and honest citizen. He and his - , 
wife are members in good standing of the Method- pHl 
ist Episcopal Church, and in polities Mr. W. is an 
nnc(jm promising Democrat. 



^^ APT. ASA B. WOODWARD, pilot of the 
[if^ steamboat ''Sam Atlee," has his headquar- t, 
'^^f'' ters at Ft. Madison, and is considered one of c 
its worthy and excellent citizens. He was born in ! 
Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Sept. 3, 1836, and is ^ 
the son of John Mason and Elizabeth (Wilson) : 
Woodward, both natives of the Buckeye State. His 
father was a carpenter by trade and a skilled me- 
chanic, who died in New Corydon, Jay Co., lud. : 
The mother still survives, and resides at Lancaster, 
.it the advanced age of seventy-six years. The : 
parental household consisted of six children, two ^ 
sons and four daughters. 

The subject, of this biography was the eldest son 
of his i)arcnts" family. He grew to manhood under 
the parental roof and received a good education in 
the common schools. At the age of nineteen years, 
in 185.'), he set his face westward to the Father ot 
Waters, boarded a steamer, and went up the river : 
to St. Paul, where he engaged to return with a raft 
of lumber. This novel occupation being quite a 
change from the labors of his former life, proved 
quite an attraction to him, and he followed the river 
for the next six vears, or until 1861, aud the break- 



CS32HK! 



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LEE COUNTY. 



243 



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ing out of the late Civil War. He then decided 
to become a volunteer soldier, and enlisted as a 
member of Company A, 1st Iowa Regiment, in 
which he served three months, that being the term 
of enlistment. He then continued in the service as 
wagon-master, and subsequently had charge of the 
Provost Marshal's stables at Memphis, under Gen. 
E. B. Washburn. He remained in the service until 
the close of the war and then resumed his former 
life on the Mississippi. Since that time he has either 
served as Pilot or Captain, and is well fitted for his 
peculiar duty. 

Capt. Woodward was married in 1862 to Miss 
Jemima C. Gibson, and thej' have become the par- 
ents of two children. Rend and Ruth. Capt. Wood- 
ward located at Ft. Madison in 18G9, and has made 
this citj- his residence since that time. Religiouslj' 
he is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and 
socially witli the A. O. U. W. Politically he is 
strongly Republican, and uniforml}' casts his vote 
in support of the principles of that part\'. He is a 
good citizen, and the family are highly respected 
in their community. 



-«- 




AVID C. MARSH, a prominent resident 
of Washington Township, owns and occu- 
pies a valuable farm estate pleasantly lo- 
cated on section 2. He has been a resi- 
dent of the Hawkeye State for nearlj' forty-seven 
years, coming here several years before it was ad- 
mitted into the Union as a State, .ind has witnessed 
with admiring interest the wonderful changes which 
have taken place, and the rapid march of civiliza- 
tion and progress. Since coming here he has made 
the interests of his adopted State his own, has re- 
joiced in her prosperity, and has aided to the best 
of his al)ilitjf in bringing about her present pros- 
perous condition. 

David C. Marsh is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and was born Jan. 7, 181G. His parents were Will- 
iam and Lodika (Knight) Marsh, the history of 
whom will be found in another part of this volume 
in connection with the sketch of I. L. Marsh. The 
subject of this history was the eldest of a family of 



eight children, and lived in the vicinity of his 
birthplace until five j^ears old, when his parents re- 
moved to Preble County. He remained under the 
parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, 
and then, in the fall of 1 839, resolved to cross the 
Father of Waters and seek his fortune in the farther 
West. He had already formed domestic ties, and 
was accompanied by his wife and child when he 
came into Lee County. He entered 160 acres of 
land on sections 2 and 11, locating his dwelling on 
the former section, and has resided here since that 
time. Although never having served an apprentice- 
ship at any trade, he occupied his spare time when 
a j'outh in making chairs, and at the age of seven- 
teen years bought his time of his father and carried 
on the chair business on his own account. After 
coming to Iowa he turned his attention exclusivel}' 
to agricultural pursuits. He was prospered in his 
farming operations and business transactions, and 
added to his possessions from time to time until he 
became the owner of 469 acres of valuable land in 
Washington Township. The most of this is finely 
improved and cultivated, and his residence, which 
he built in 1873, is a fine brick structure, finished 
and furnished after the most modern and improved 
style. He has good barns and out-buildings, valu- 
able farm machinery, and everything pertaining to 
a first-class agriculturist and stock-raiser. 

Mr. Marsh was married in Preble County, Ohio, 
Jan. 21, 1838, to Catharine, daughter of William 
and Elcindia (Roach) Mincer, natives of Virginia, 
and of German and English ancestry. After their 
marriage they removed from Virginia to Darke 
County, Ohio, where the decease of the mother oc- 
curred a few years later. After the death of his 
wife, William Mincer left Ohio and came to Iowa 
in the fall of 1853, settling in Mahaska County', 
where he remained until the close of his life. The 
parental household included thirteen children, of 
whom Mrs. Marsh of our sketch was the fifth in 
order of birth. She was born in Frederick County, 
Va., Dec. 9, 1822, and by her union with our sub- 
ject has become the mother of three children, as 
follows: William married Miss Eveline Rice, who 
died in Washington Township, and he afterward 
married Miss Elcindia Mincer, and still resides 
here; Mary E. is the wife of Thomas Thomsen, of 



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LEE COUNTY. 



Jasper County, Iowa; Martha J. married George 
Thompson, aiirl resides in Wasliington Township. 

^[r. Miirsh is hoiil in iiigii osteem by his fellow 
townsmen, :in<l has held tiie minor offices of the 
township. He and iiis wife, with their son Will- 
iam and daughter Martha, are connected with the 
Christian Church, and Mary with the Methodist. 
.Mr. .Marsh is Democratic in politics, is the friend 
of law and order, and in all respects is fultillinii the 
obligations of a goofl citizen. 



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ON. CHARLES DOEKR, Postmaster of Ft. 

Madison, is .-i fine representative of that 

stiinch German element which has done so 

much to aid in the development of the great 

West. He was born in the Duchy of Nassau, Ger- 

^ many, Jan. 13, 1831, his parents being Phillip and 
Catherine (Tresbach) Doerr. The father was a 
stonemason and st( >ne-cutter by trade, remarkably 
skillful as a mechanic, and was engaged on Govern- 
ment work, being ,'in authority on I'iver improve- 
ments, such as barracks, (piays, canal locks, etc. In 
iHol the familj', consisting of the parents and two 
children, Charles and Jannette (the latter the wife 
of George Authes, of Minneapolis, Minn.), emigra- 
ted to the United States, landing in New York 
City on the 21st of March. The father and son 
worked at their trade about six months in that 
city, and then removed to Bennington County, Vt., 
remaining there for one year, where the death of 
the mother occurred in 18.t2, at the age of forty- 
four years. The following year the surviving mem- 
lici-s of the famil}' started westward, locating first 
ill Illinois, and the father and son engaged in build- 
ing railroad bridges, and in other heavy masonry 

pjin Illinois and Missouri. In 18.5.5 they came to Ft. 
Madison, where the father pursued his trade for 
many j'cars. He is now retired from the active 
duties of life, and although at the advanced age of 
seventy-nine years, is still hale and hearty, his 
physical and intellectual powers having been re- 
tained to a remarkable degree. 

The subject of this biography received a good 
education in llic coinnioii schools, and Ic.iined the 



trade of a stonemason and stone-cutting under the 
instruction of his father before he left his native 
country. In 18.57 he became desirous of changing 
his occupation. His studious habits had fitted him 
for other duties, and he engaged as a copyist in the 
oftice of the Recorder of Lee County, and two 
years thereafter became Deputy County Clerk, lie 
possessed more than ordinarj' ability and had ma<le 
the most of his opportunities, and steadil}' grew in 
favor with the public, and in 18G2 was elected 
County Clerk, serving several terms. He then be- 
came interested in real estate, and acted as Notaiy 
Public. In the fall of 1866 he was again elected 
County Clerk, and re-elected in 1868, serving the 
people of Lee County in this capacity until 1871. 
He then ])urchased the Ft. Madison ferry, and oper- 
ated the same for a period of six years, after which 
he established a real-estate and brokerage business 
at Ft. Madison. 

Mr. Doerr, however, could not evade the de- 
mands of his fellow-citizens that he should serve in 
a public capacity, and in 1883 he was solicited to 
become a candidate as their next member for the 
State Legislature. He finally assented to this and 
was elected, representing his district in the Twen- 
tieth General Assembly. In October, 1885, he was 
appointed Postmaster of Ft. Madison by President 
Cleveland, and the appointment was confirmed by 
the United States .Senate without opposition, Jan. 
12, 188C. 

Mr. Doerr became a citizen of the United States 
in June, 18.56, and since that time has been a stanch 
supporter of the Democratic party. He has fre- 
quently been a delegate to county, district and 
State conventions, and in 1864 was an alternate 
delegate to the National Democratic Convention 
held at Chicago. In 1872 he was the candidate of 
his party for Secretary of State, but as the party in 
Iowa was largely in the minority, he was defeated, 
together with the balance of the ticket. 

Mr. Doerr has been identified with every good 
work and purpose, and has materially aided the 
business and educational interests of Lee County. 
He is a member in good standing of the Evangel- 
ical Lutheran Church; has been connected with the 
I. O. O. F. since 18,54, and was initiated into the 
mysteries of Ancient Free Masonry in 1«(!2. He is 



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now a member of Claypole Lodge No. 13, A. F. 
<fe A. M., Potowonok Chapter No. 28, R. A. M., 
and Damascus Commandcry No. 5, K. T. Mr. 
Uiierr was Secretary of the F't. Madison, Farming- 
ton & Western Railway, and when it was merged 
into the Burlington A' Southwestern, he retained the 
same position until the road was completed, and 
afterward of the Ft. Madison & Northwestern Rail- 
way. He has been mostly successful in his busi- 
ness enterprises, and has erected several fine busi- 
ness blocks and residences in the city. 

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage 
with Miss Catherine Magerkurth, Aug. 20, 18u7. 
Mrs. Doerr is a native of Rhenish Bavaria, born 
April 30, 1837. She emigrated to the United 
States with her uncle, J. J. Wiegner, with whom 
she resided until her marriage. Of the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Doerr nine children have been born, 
of whom the eldest died at the age of three and 
one-half years; the living are Carl P., Nettie H., 
Edward F., Phillip O., Albert N., Cuno W., Elsie 
D. and Kittie M, In 1881, Mr. Doerr, accompan- 
ied by his wife, took a trip to Europe, visiting their 
native country and also Switzerland and France. 
They occupy a beautiful residence in Ft. Madison, 
and are surrounded by the comforts and luxuries 
of life. They are highly esteemed in the commu- 
nity, and in all respects are fultilling the obligations 
tievolviug upon citizens of prominence and influ- 
ence. 

_>, — •.oto..(§^>•^^..o♦o.. — <,.-_ 

R. GEORGE F. JENKINS, President of 
the faculty of the College of Physicians 
and Surgons, of Keokuk, Iowa, is a gentle- 
man who stands high in the profession in 
this locality, and as a citizen is a valued factor in 
the community. He is a native of Clark County, 
Mo., and was born July 15, 1842, his parents being 
Robert and Elizabeth (Rambo) Jenkins, natives of 
Lancaster Couutj', Pa. His great-grandfather, Da- 
vid Jenkins, came from ^Vales and settled in Lan- 
caster County, Pa., in the year 1700, lieing among 
the earliest pioneers of that section. He was largely- 
engaged in the manufacture of iron, and the busi- 
ness continued in the Jenkins family for more than 
a century thereafter. Then, George Jenkins, tlie 




son of David A. and grandfather of our subject, by 
becoming security for debts and being otherwise 
involved, lost the property which had descended to 
him, and the family thereafter, in pursuit of differ- 
ent locations, was widely scattered. Robert, one 
of his sons, and the father of George F. of our 
sketch, went to Missouri and purchased 1,000 aci'es 
of land, upon which he remained until his death, 
which occurred in 1 85(). The mother had died ten 
years previously. She was one of the descendants 
of a Swedish colony who settled in Pennsylvania at 
an early date, and with her husband was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church. 

Robert Jenkins was successful as an agriculturist 
in this section, and a prominent man, possessing 
great force of character, and being placed in im- 
portant positions which required the exercise of 
wise judgment and forethought. His family in- 
cluded four sons and two daughters, of whom the 
record is as follows: William, a resident of Clark 
County, Mo., is engaged in the stock business, and 
is one of the wealthiest men in that section ; Mag- 
gie J. became the wife of Mr. Lapsley, who has oc- 
cupied the position of Circuit Clerk for the past 
twelve years; they reside in Missouri; Cassie E., 
twin sister of Mrs. Lapsley, married Dr. Lynn, 
and is now a resident of Granger, Mo. ; Dr. George 
F. was the next in order of birth ; Robert E. is an 
attorney at law in Chicago, and for many years was 
assignee in bankruptcy cases; James A., a resident 
of Clark Count}', Mo., is extensively engaged in 
farming pursuits. 

The earlier years of the subject of our sketch 
were spent upon the farm and in attendance at the 
district schools. At the conclusion of his primary 
studies he entered the High School of the county, 
where he remained until he was eighteen j'ears old, 
and from there went into the Jones Commercial 
College of St. Louis, where he graduated, and 
taught mathematics in the college for four months 
subsequently. In the winter of 1864 he visited 
relatives in Pennsylvania, and in 1865 crossed the 
plains to California with a mule-team, being four . 
months on the road. After arriving there he spent 
some time in traveling over the country, and then 
coninienced the study of medicine in Toland Medi- 
cal College at San Francisco. After completing 




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this course he boarded the steamer '• Golden Gate," 
and returned home by way of the Isthmus and 
New York. After reaching his native county he 
continued ills medical studies under the tutorship 
of Dr. R. fS. McKee of Clark County, witli whom 
he remained until the following fall, in the mean- 
time engaged in practice. He then took a course 
of lectures in St. Louis, at the Missouri Medical 
College, from which he graduated in the spring of 
1867. He then came to Keokuk and c(jntinued his 
practice successfully. 

In January following IJr. Jenkins opened an 
office up the river at Sandusky, the headquarters 
for the contractors of the Government canal, at 
which place he had an extensive practice for three 
years. In January, 1871, he re-opened hisottice in 
Keokuk, and has practiced here continuously since 
that time. He is connected with the principal medi. 
cal associations of this section. He was a member 
of the Keokuk Medical Society and President in 
1881 ; has been a member of the Iowa State Medi- 
cal Society since 1809, and was Chairman of the 
section of medicine at the last meeting of this so- 
ciety, and has also served on various other impor- 
tant committees. The Doctor became a member 
of the American Medical Association in 1872, and 
for three years was Lecturer on the diseases of chil- 
dren in the Keokuk College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons. Since- 1882 he has been Professor of the 
Principles and Practice of Medicine, Medical Clin- 
ics, Physical Diagnosis and Diseases of Children, 
and in 1885 was unanimously elected President of 
tiie faculty, which position he still holds. He has 
been President of the Board of Health for the cit}', 
and has been largely interested in the important mat- 
ters connected with its general welfare. The Doctor 
is also a member of the ])resent School Board of 
Keokuk. He is tlie friend and supporter of every 
measure calculated to elevate tlie standard of edu- 
cation and moralitj', and was largely instrumental 
in the establishment of the St. Joseph Hospital, be- 
ing at present chief of the medical staff <)f that in- 
stitution. He possesses the pen of a ready writer, 
and has frequently contributed to the medical lit- 
erature of the day. He is the Medical E.xaininer 
for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, also 
the Connecticut Mutual Life and Travelers' Insur- 
ance Company. 

,5SS55 



Dr. George F. Jenkins and Miss Lottie E. Van f 

\\'agenen were united in marriage in December, ' 
1M70. Mrs. Jenkins is the daughter of K. I). Van 
Wagenen, a prominent Government contractor of 
Fulton, Oswego Co.. N. Y. Of this union there have 
been born four children— Marcia L., Florence E., . 
George V. and Katie E. The family residence is [ 
pleasantly located at the corner of Seventh and ■ 
High streets, and its inmates are surrounded by all ■ 
the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Po- ; 
litically Dr. Jenkins affiliates with the Democratic : 
party, and socially is a member of the lioyal Ar- ■ 
canum, Knights of Pythias, and the A. 0. U. W. 
Dr. .1. and his wife are prominently connected witli 
the Presbyterian Church, and their home is the re- 
sort of the refined and cultured people of the Gate 
City. j 



\YfACKSON TOWNSEND, of Ft. Madison, 
Deputj' Warden of the Iowa State Peniten- 
tiary', is a native of Kentucky, born in 
Greenup Count}', April 2(i, 1854, and is a 
son of Benjamin F. and Lncinda (Barney) Town- 
send, also natives of Kentuck}'. The familj' re- 
moved from their native State to Missouri, and lo- 
cated in Clark County, thence removing to Adair 
County, where they remained until after the close 
of the late Civil War; thej' then returned to Clark 
County, and from there, in 1 808, came into Iowa, and 
located in Farmington, ^'an Buren County, where 
the parents of our subject still reside. The li< msehold 
circle included five children, of whom one sou died 
in infancy; four are still living. 

The subject of our sketch w.-is the eldest child of 
his parents' family. During his early childhood he 
attended the common schools in winter, and in 
summer assisted in. the lighter duties about the 
homestead. He remained with his parents until 
twenty years of age, and then entered the employ 
of the Burlington & Southern Railroad Company 
as conductor, in which i)osition he remained for 
two and one-half years, and soon afterward, in 
1.S77, became a guard in the luwa State Peniten- 
tiary, which jjosition he held for the following 
four years. So satisfactory had the connection of 
Mr. Townsend been in this latter capacit}', that he 



II 















LEE COUNTY. 







was promoted to a more important position, 
namely, tliat of Deputy Warden, under Warden 
E. C. McMillan, and was retained bj' his successor, 
Warden G. W. Crosby. Mr. Townsend is now 
the oldest prison official serving in this State. 

■Jackson Townsend was united in marrriage with 
Miss Ella Mulvihill in 1878. Mrs. Townsend is the 
daughter of Henry and Mary Mulvihill, and was 
born in .Sanduskj', Ohio, June 30, 185.5. The^- oc- 
cupj" a pleasant home, and are surrounded bj' all the 
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. 
Townsend has proved himself one of the most ef- 
ficient officers who has ever occupied the responsible 
position of Deputj' Warden, and is a general favorite 
about the institution. As a citizen he is highly re- 
spected, and is fulfilling all the obligations of a 
man of prominence and influence. 




AATD L. HOUSER, a highly esteemed resi- 
le dent of Cedar Township, owns and occu- 



pies a valuable farm estate on sections 33 
and 34. He came to the Hawke}'e State 
at an early day, and has watched the development 
of this section of country with unabated interest 
since coming here, and has contributed his share 
as a good citizen toward its progress and prosperity'. 
(,)ur subject was born in Lewistown, Mifflin Co., 
Pa., Dec. 3, 1839. His father. Bernard Houser, 
was born near Huntingdon, Pa., and his grandfather, 
.John Houser, was a native of Germany, who emi- 
grated to this country and settled in Pennsylvania 
at an earl}- period in its history. He was a farmer 
bj- occupation, and after becoming a citizen of the 
United States spent the remainder of his life near 
the site of his first location. His wife, the grand- 
mother of our subject, was of German i)arentage 
and ancestry, and the fruit of their union was tw(j 
sons and one daughter, who were named : Bernard. 
William and Marj' A. The latter became JIi'S. 
Spencer, and located with her husband in Pennsyl- 
vania; William became a resident <if Bedford, Pa., 
was married, and there reared his family. 

Bernard Houser. the father of our subject, learned 
the trade of raolder at Bellefonte, Pa., and after 
doing journeyman's work for fifteen years, estab- 




m 



lished a foundry' at Berlin, Somerset County, i: 
partnership with Dr. Burkey. They operated tO' 
gether until 1855, when they sold out, and Bernard^ 
Houser came to Iowa, locating in Warren, Lee 
County, and making a purchase of wild land r 
Harrison Township. Here he commenced his ca- 
reer as a farmer and erected a log cabin for thi 
shelter of his family. He was prospered in his la- 
bors, and in due time the log cabin was succeeded 
bj' a more pretentious frame dwelling. He was en 
gaged in the cultivation of his farm until the notes ! 
of war began to sound throughout the land, and 
then, laying aside personal interests and business 
matters, he gave his sons to the service of his country, 
rented his farm, and removed to Warren upon 
property which he owned there, and remained until 
his death, which occurred on the 23d of August, 
i863. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Elinore 
(Logan) Houser, was a native of Penns3'lvania, 
born near McConnellsburg, Fidton County, and was 
the daughter of Gaun and Belle (Coffee) Logan, 
of Irish ancesti'y and parentage. Of this union 
there were eight children, viz., William, Isabella, 
David L., .John P., Mary Ellen, Laura, and .Tames 
and Samuel, twins. 

The subject of our sketch was a lad of six years 
old when his parents removed from his native town 
to Berlin, Pa. There he learned the trade of a 
molder, but as he disliked his trade, his father 
purchased a farm in Fulton County, and placed our 
subject and his elder brother upon it to work. [^ 
David L. remained here until the fall of 1855, when W IjT 
all the family crossed the Mississippi and came into.fiJl, 
the Hawkeye State. Our subject engaged in farm- 
ing for the following six years, and after the call for 
troops he enlisted in September, 1861. in Co. D, 
14th Iowa ^'ol. Inf., and served as a Union soldier 
until peace was declared between the contending 
armies. He was at the battle of F't. Donelson, 
Sliiluli, Corinth, Pleasant Hill, Oldtown Creek, and 
various other engagements and skirmishes. At the 
battle of Shiloh he was incapacitated b}- physical 
disabilitj', but afterward recovered, and received 
his final discharge with his comrades at the close of 
the war and draws a pension on account of his 
wounds. 

After his return fi-oni the army, in November, 



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248 



LEE COUNTY. 



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1864, Mr. riouser purchased the place he now owns 
and occupies. It was liiit a tract of wild land and 
he secured it on time. One of his first duties was 
the erection of a cabiu, in which he moved after his 
niarriaii^fc, and cng.iyed industriously' in tlie iniprovc- 
nient and cultivation of his pros|)ectivc farm. lie 
had manj- dilficulties to contend witli, jjut he perse- 
vered through them all and was prospered in his la- 
bors. On the 11th of .lanuary, 18G;'), he secured 
to himself a helpmeet in the person of Miss Malvina 
Saxe, and they set uji housekeeping in the log cabin 
which, although luunble, was theirs and was "home." 
Mrs. Ilouser is a native of the Empire State, and 
born in (ireeulicld, Saratoga County, Nov. 1.3, 1841. 
Her parents wt'rc Heuusalacr and Hannah (Creal) 
Saxe, also natives of New York Slate. She received 
a fair education in the public schools and was care- 
fully trained at home by wise and judicious parents. 
Her father was a wull-educated man and was jointly 

J engaged as a farmer and school tcaciier. He crossed 
the ;\Iississii)pi in 184 1, ami coming into Leo County, 
locatid in Harrison Township upon a farm, where 
his life terniin:ited two years later. 

After his marriage .Mr. llouscr continued his 
farming operations and added to his possessions .as 
his means justified. He is now the owner of 240 
acres, finely imi)roved and very valuable. The 
hiuiible logcaliin was long ago abandoned foracom- 
modious and comfortable franuMlwelling, and nt)w, 
in the enjoyment of a cc)m[)elency, he is reaping 

'■i the leward of his earlier toils and struggles. 

JMr. Ilouser has been a prominent man in his 
community since the time of coming here, .and has 
contributed of his tinu' and means to the aid of 
every woithy object. He has served as a member 
of the School Board and in other ways has materi- 
ally assisted the cause of education. He has been 
the friend of morality and good order, and served 
as Justice of the Peace, and in all things has ful- 
filled, to the best of his ability, the obligations of 
a good citizen. 

lAIr. and Mrs. Hous(!r are the parents of three 
children— Gilbert L., Nettie and Paulina May. The 
homestead of the family is surrounded by every- 
thing necessary to comfort anil convenience. The 
farm is .supi)lic(| u ith a good biirn and all the neces- 
sary apjilianccs lor the storing of grain and the 



shelter of stock ; the farm implements and machin- 
ery are of first-cl.ass description, and altogether the 
homestead presents one of the finest points of at- 
traction in the landscape of Lee County. Mr. 
Ilouser is a member in good standing of the G. A. 
U., Miles M.King Post, at Farmington, and with his 
wife and son is prominently connected with the 
Christian Church. 

OIIN llorGlI. The subject of this biog- 
raphy, one of the most highly respected 
residents of Cedar Township, is extensively 
^^)J engaged as a farmer and stock-raiser, and also 
operates a flourishing creamery. He is a valued 
factor in the liusiness and industrial interests (f 
this section, with which he has been identified for a 
long period of years. In addition to the various 
branches of business above mentioned he has a 
large sum of money invested in general merchan- 
dise, the trade in which yields him a handsome 
income. 

Mr. Hough is a native of Henry County, Inil., 
and was born Aug. 12, 183S). His father, Isaiah 
Hough, of North Carolina, was born March h, 1812, 
and his grandfather, Ira Hough, also a native of 
the same State, removed from North Carolina in 
1820 to Henry County, Ind., making the entire 
journey overland by teams. He purchased a tract 
of tind)er land, improved a farm from the wilder- 
ness, and established a comfortable home, where he 
spent the remainder of his days. Is.aiah, the father 
of our subject, was a young boy when the removal 
was made from North Caroliiux to Indiana. He was 
reared to manhood in the latter State, and was 
there married to Miss Elizabeth Marshall, a native 
of his own State, born Jnl^' 24, 1811 (secsketch of 
Evan Marshall.) 

After marriage Isaiah Hough purchased land in 
Henry County', Ind., and for several years was 
engaged in farming pursuits. In 1840 he sold his 
possessions and, accompanied by his family, started 
on an overland journey- to Iowa. They carried 
with them their household goods and utensils, and 
camped and cooked by the wayside. On their 
arrival in the llawkeyc Slate, which was then in its 



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RESIDENCE OF IVIILWARD H . R G E R5 , 5 EC 1 5 . G R EEN BAY TP 




RESrOENCE OF JACOB FANKH 0U5ER , SEC . 17. JACKSON Tp , 




Residence of CHRISTIAN M E RTENS ,5ec. 19 . M A rion tp 







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infancy, they proceeded to Henry County, where 
Mr. Hough rented land for one year. He then pur- 
chasen a tract of unimproved land in Lee County, 
which was located in Cedar Township on section 
12, and commenced the improvement and cultiva- 
tion of his purchase. The family moved into a 
vacant house close by, whe;e they lived for one 
year, and then went into a house of their own 
which, in the meantime, had been built upon the 
new farm. Mr. Hough hewed the frame for his 
house and barn, and split clapboards to cover the 
barn and shaved oak shingles to cover the house. 
He was a natural mechanic, and without serving an 
apprenticeship, did a great deal of carpenter work 
about the homestead. The structures which he 
built at this time were considered quite elegant, 
being the best in the locality at that early day. 
After an industrious and busy life Mr. Hough 
departed from the scene of his earthly labors on 
the 26th of July, 1849. The wife of his youth still 
survives him, and lives with her daughter, Mrs. 
AVagner, of .Saline County, Neb. The parental 
household consisted of six children, live of whom 
are still living. 

John Hough of this sketch was the third child of 
his parents, and was a lad of seven years old when 
they came to Iowa. He was but ten years old when 
his father died, and he continued to live with his 
mother until his marriage, after which his mother 
lived with him for about twenty years. Thus it will 
be seen be literally " grew up with the country," and 
while assisting in the improvements around his 
own homestead he was an interested observer of the 
growth and prosperity of the country around him. 
He now owns and occupies the old homestead of 
2t)0 acres upon which his father settled when first 
coming into the Territory. Great improvements 
have been brought about upon it since that time ; 
the frame house and barn have given place to 
a fine farm residence, and the barn of to-day shel- 
ters a herd of fine stock, valuable horses and costly 
farm implements. 

Mr. Hough has been full of enterprise and energy, 
and whenever his busy mind has conceived a pro- 
ject which he believed to be pleasurable or profit- 
able, lie lias at once set about the execution of 
it, almost invariably with happy results. In ItSisi 




tion on his farm, but soon afterward sold this, and i' 

the same year put up another building, and contin- 
ued his trade in general merchandise, to which he 
has added the l)uying and selling of grain and 
stock. 

The marriage of John Hough and Miss Mary 
Frazier was celebrated at Salem, Iowa, in 18.57. 
Mrs. H. was born in Henry County, Iowa, and 
is the daughter of Elihu and Orpha (Pidgeon) 
Frazier, the former of whom was a native of Indi- 
ana, and one of the pioneer.^ of Henry County, Iowa. 
Our subject and wife have become the parents of 
seven children, as follows: Edwin is the oldest; 
Ida is the wife of Charles Clawson, and lives in 
Cedar Township; the others are Frank. Dilla, Nel- 
lie, Arthur and Claude. 

Religiously Mr. and Mrs. H. were brought up in 
the .Society of Friends, and have remained loyal to 
the faith of their parents. Mr. H. is Republican 
in politics, and has taken a prominent part in the 
political and general affairs of his adopted .State. 
He was the first Postmaster of Houghton, and gave 
the right of way to the K. & N. W. R. R., besides a 
subscription of 1.500 in cash. He has always been 
a public-spirited man, ready and willing to contrib- 
ute of his time and means for the i)iomotioii 
of every worthy enterprise or whatever would be of 
benefit to his country and community. 



H 



fiiiii 



—jt^- 



<^^- 






\f/AMES C. HAVLS, Mayor of Keokuk and 
attorney at law, is one of its most prosper- 
ous and influential citizens. He is a native 
/ of this city, and was born Sept. 2, 1857, his 
parents being C. F. and C'arrie T. Davis, prominent 
residents of this part of the Hawkeye State. James ^ 
C. received his early education in the iiublic schools 
of Keokuk, and after graduating from these en- 
tered Hellmuth College, of London, Canada. In 
1875 he commenced reading law under the instruc- 
tion of F. T. Loniax, and also that of Messrs. Gil- 
more & Anderson, jirominent attorneys of the city, 
and was admitted to practice the following year, a 
few days before his twentieth liirthday. In 18.S1 
he was elected City Atloriie_y of Keokuk, served 




1 T-rfwT^trr y 




252 



LEE COUNTY. 



3th 



wm 



this term, and was re-elected for a second term. 
Three j'cars thereafter he associated iiimself in part- 
nership with Anderson Bros., and tiiey ojjcrated 
under the firm name of Anderson Bros, (fe Davis, 
which was succeeded by tiie present firm of Ander- 
son, Davis ik Hagerman. They have htiilt up an 
extensive practice, and are one of the most popular 
I.TW firms in Lee County. 

.lames C. Davis and Miss Clara Belle Muoar were 
united in marriage Dec. 10, 1S«4. Mrs. Davis is 
the (laughter of .Judge 1). Jlooar, and of hei- union 
with Mr. Davis there h.as been born one son, whom 
they have named Daniel Mooar. Mr. Davis is a 
prominent memlter of the Kpisco|ial Church, to the 
support of which he contributes liberally and cheer- 
fully. He is highly esteemed as a man and a citi- 
zen, and is filling with satisfaction tlie highest po- 
sition in the gift of his fellow-townsmen. 

Politically Mr. Davis is strongly Repubiicau. He 
was elected .M.ayor in 1885, by a majority of .'JOO, 
and the following year was re-elected by a majority 
of over yOO. He was the first City Attorney born 
in Keokuk, and is the first native citizen to hold the 
oflice of Mayor. 

ALMON McNeill, of Washington Town- 
s the owner of a fine farm of 277 






most of which is finely cultivated, 
and pleasantly located on section 2. He has 
l)een a resident of this section for more than twenty 
years, and during that time has secured the confi- 
dence and respect of his fellow-townsmen. All his 
life he has been enterprising, industrious .and frugal, 
and is now enjoying, as he h.as merited, the good 
things of life. 

Salmon MciSeill is a native of St. Lawrence 
a (Jonnty, N. V., and was born Api'il 23, 182H. His 
I parents were John and Laura (North) McNeill, na- 
tives of \'ermont, and of Scijtch and li'Ish ancestry. 
After their marriage they located in St. Lawrence 
County-, and were among the first settlers of that 
region. Tliey remained tlicrc until 1H5(), and tiien 
John McNeill, feeling perhaps, like Daniel Boone, 
the pressure of too many neighbors and the want 
of more room, resolved to cross the Mississippi into 



the wide West. He came into Lee County, lown, J 
and settled in Washington Townsliip, only surviving 
the change, however, one year, his deiith nccuniiig 
in 18.j1. Mrs. Laura McNeill survived her husband 
several years, and departed this life in Is.'iT.in .Ma- 
haska County, Iowa. The parental famil}- consisted 8!'} 
of three sons and six daughters, of whom the sul 
ject of onv sketch was the seventh child. jth 

Salmon McNeill received careful home traininff Hi i 

at the hands of his parents, and a fair education jti 

in the public schools. He followed his [tareuts dur- -_ -[ 

ing the various removals of their earlier life, first ~- n 

to Ohio, and finally to Iowa, being twenty-two years §' 

of age upon their arrival here. He was reared u|)on : 

a farm, and has been engaged in agricultural pur- ■ 

suits all his lifetime. After the death of his father, : 

he went with his mother to Mahaska County, where : 

he remained about five years, thence went to Marion s 

County, remaining there until 1 86.5. He then re- § 

turned to Lee Count}', and made his final settlement a 

in Washington Township. g 

Mr. McNeill was married first in Mahaska County, a 

Iowa, to Miss Aggie Bedwell, a native of Indiana, a 

who remained his companion for about three years, 3 

and died in Marion County, Iowa, in 1859. His 3 

second wife, to whom he w.as married in the Last- a 

named county, was Miss Rebecca .Sanders, of Ten- g 

nes.see, who bore him three children, two of whom B 

survive — Thomas, who resides in Washington Town- 3 

ship, and Martha A., the wife of Thomas Darling, fi 

of the same township. Mrs. Rebecca McNeill de- | 

parted this life in Washington Tc)wnship in 18(j,t. : 

The third marriage of Mr. McNeill was with j 

Mrs. Marj' J. (Mc(ireer) Hicks, and took place in ; 

.letferson County, Iowa, June 17, 1866. Robert §| 
Hicks, the first husband of Mrs. McNeill, died in 
Little Rock, Ark., iji 1864; he enlisted as a soldier 
of the Union in the 33d Iowa Cavahy, and yielded 
up his life in the service of his country. Of this 
union there were born five children — Louisa, James, 
Sarah, John and Jennie. Mrs. Mary J. JMcXeill is 
a native of Indiana. Her parents were Alexander 

and Jane (Livingston) McGreer, natives of North 3^ 

and South Carolina respectively. After their mar- " 

riage they located in Darke County, Ind., and from i; 

there removed t(^ Fayette County, whence they p 

ciossed the .Mississippi and came into Lee County, ; 










i 



LEE COUNTY. 



settling in Harrison Township in about 1837. The 
father was a farmer bj' occupation, and spent his 
last da3-s in Farmiugton, Van Buren County. The 
mother died in Harrison Township. Tiieir family 
consisted of eight children, two sons and six daugh- 
ters, of whom Mrs. McNeill of our sketch was the 
seventh child. 

Mr. McNeill and his present wife are the parents 
of two children — Aggie and George. They occupy 
a handsome farm residence, replete with all the com- 
forts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Mc- 
Neill has occupied a prominent positic)n in the 
township, has been Road Supervisor and member 
of the School Board, and is always actively inter- 
ested in whatever pertains to the welfare of his 
community. He and his wife are connected with 
the Baptist Church, to the support of which they 
contribute cheerfully and liberally. In politics Mr. 
McNeill is a stanch supporter of the Republican 
party. 

-^ ^^ ^ 

eONRAD EBERLING, of Ft. Madison, is a 
fine representative of that enterprising and 
persevering German element which has 
done so much toward the development of this 
country, and especially that section west of the 
Mississippi. Our subject is a native of Brunswick, 
German J', and was born Dec. 15, 1825. His fa- 
ther, Conrad Eberling, Sr., was a native of the 
same country, of pure German ancestry and par- 
entage, and before the day of railroads, was em- 
plo^'ed in teaming between the different large cities 
of Germany. He was a man of great energy of 
character, of large and powerful build physically, 
and died in the prime of life, in 1840, at the age of 
fort,y-one years. 

Conrad E. of this sketch, in accordance with the 
laws and customs of his native country, was placed 
in school at an early age, and pursued his studies 
until his father's death. He then served three 
years at the stone cutter's trade, at which he worked 
until 1852, when he resolved to emigrate to Amer- 
ica, and seek an improvement in his prospects and 
fortunes. He set sail from Bremen on the 15 th of 
September of the }'ear mentioned, and after a long 
and tedious voyage lauded at New Orleans on the 



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7th of November following. From there he pro- 
ceeded up the river to St. Louis, where he spent the 
winter, and in the spring of 1853 came to Ft. Madi- 
son, and was employed at his trade continuously un- 
til 1876. He had been industrious and economical, 
and saved his earnings, and now found himself pos- 
sessed of sufficient means to engage in business. 
He accordingly purchased a stock of groceries and 
provisions, and by his wise management and 
straightforward dealing soon built up an extensive 
and profitable patronage, and is now ranked among 
the leaders in this department of business in this 
section. 

A month previous to his departure from his na- 
tive land, in August, 1852, Mr. Eberling was mar- 
ried to Miss Hannah Berues, a native of his own 
Province, and the journey to the United States 
constituted the bridal tour of the young pair. 
They became the parents of five children, as fol- 
lows: Hannah, the eldest, is the wife of George 
Geyler, and lives in Jersey City, N. J.; Christ is 1} 
the eldest son; Anna is the wife of Henry Ruhes, 
and lives in Pueblo, Col. ; Louis and Vena are at 
home with their i)arents. They occupy a pleasant 
homestead, rei>lete with all the comforts and many 
of the luxuries of life. Mr. and Mrs. E. are con- 
nected with the Lutheran Church, and in politics 
the subject of our sketch uniformly casts his vote 
with the Democratic party. 



-^cCjZ'S-^-" 



^-^W^nnrt- 




R. EVAN MARSHALL, a resident of Ce- 
vi^ dar Township, and an Iowa pioneer of 
1845, is one of the most honored residents 
of this section. He is a native of North 
Carolina, born in Surry County, May 25, 1821. 
His father, John Marshall, and his grandfather. 
William Marshall, were alst) natives of the same 
State, the latter being of Irish parentage. He re- 
moved from the place of his birth to Hendricks 
County, Ind., and there spent the last years of his 
life. 

John Marshall, the father of our subject, was 
reared un a farm in his native county, but being 
a natural mechanic, was not very greatly interested 



fijmi 




II 



in agricultural pursuits. After his marriage he set 
up a cabinet-shop, and for several years was en- 
gaged in the manufacture of furniture and otiier 
tine work. In tiie fall of 1JS2I he started with his 
wife and five children for the State of Indiana, 
making the entire journey overland by teams. He 
carried with him ^iU in cash, and after burrowing 
^C>0 more, entered eighty acres of timber land in 
Henry Countj', and commenced farming. One of 
his first duties was the erection of a log cabin, in 
which he established his family comfortably. Wild 
game was abundant, including deer, bear and tur- 
keys, and these luxuries assisted materially in keep- 
ing the larder supplied against want. Breadstuffs 
were scarce, and he gave a day's work nt splitting 
rails for a bushel of corn. 

There was not a mill within twenty miles, and 
no public roads had yet been laid out. But amid 
all the dilliculties that surrounded them they made 
no complaint, but kept the main object in view of 
securing a living, and providing as far as possible, 
for the future. By the exercise of incessant in- 
dustry, they soon had 100 acres cleared, while at 
the same time, the country around them was being 
slowly settled up, and the development of its re- 
sources made a surety. .Tohn Marshall, however, 
believed that he could l)etter himself on the other 
side of the Mississippi, and accordingly, in 1,S45, 
he disposed of his interests in Indiana, and came to 
Henry County, afterward to Lee, and purchased 
the southeast quarter of section 11, in Cedar Town- 
ship, upon which he .settled and remained until his 
death, which occurred in 1847. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Annie Ilobson. She was born in Surry County, 
N. C, and accompanied her husband in all his 
journeyings, bearing cheerfully the hardships and 
privations incident to the life of the pioneer 
settler. She died on the old homestead in Cedar 
Town.ship, March 14, 1883, at the advanced age of 
ninety years. Both parents were members of the 
Society of Friends, and their children remain loyal 
to the same faith. 

])i: Marshall of this sketch was the third son and 
fifth child of his parents, and was an infant of six 
months old when his parents removed from North 
Carolina to liidi;ui:i. lie was reared In manhood 



in the latter State, assisting In the duties of the 
farm, and obtained his early education in the pio- 
neer school. At the early age of fourteen years he 
commenced the study of medicine, but his father 
discouraged the idea, and he subsequently for a 
time abandoned it, so that after his marriage he bl- 
eated upon a farm and engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. In 184a, father and son, with their two 
families, started for Iowa and located in Cedar 
Township, upon the farm which the Doctor now 
owns and occupies. While pursuing his duties 
upon the homestead, the subject of our sketch, 
still adhering to his early inclinations, obtained 
some of the best medical works of the day, and 
proceeded with his studies. He commenced prac- 
tice in his own family, and was so successful that 
he was called upon to jn-actice outside, and as time 
passed on, his studies, reading and practice won for 
him an enviable reputation as a skillful physician. 
From the treatment of the simple diseases he took 
in hand more complex ones, and has been remark- 
ablj' successful with dangerous and complicated 
cases. 

Oct. 21, 1841, Dr. Marshall was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Guliehua Bond. Mrs. Marshall 
was a native of his own State, and only survived 
her marriage with our subject for the short space 
of five years, dying in 184G. Of this marriage 
there were born two children : Elizabeth, Mrs. 
Compt(m, of Jasper County, Iowa, and Anna J., 
Mrs. Bond, who lives in Indiana. Dr. Marshall 
was married the second time, in 1848, to Miss 
Rachel Tulvert, also of North Carolina, who died 
in 18G(). Of this union there were born five chil- 
dren: Emma; Mrs. Mary T. Taylor, of Henry 
County; Abbie, a teacher in Wayne County, Ind. ; 
William J., at home, and John C, of Salem, Iowa. 

The third marriage of Dr. Marshall was with 
Miss Margaret Newbe3-, of Indiana, who h;is be- 
come the mother of one child, a daughter, Ililla. 
They occupy a pleasant homestead, replete with all 
the comforts of life and many of its luxuries. 
The Doctor has been a prominent man in this lo- 
cality, and actively interested in its general and 
political matters. In early years he was a member 
of the \N'liig party, and later, a fervent Abl>liti(lni^t. 
Upon the organization of the Republican party he 



g!^ 




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^^^ 




LEE COUNTY. 



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V---. 

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cordially endorsed its principles, and cast his first 
presidential vote for James G. Birney, who was one 
of the most prominent anti-slavery men of his time. 



^-^ 




iw^ 



lEV. GEORGE D. STEWART, Pastor of the 
Union Presbyterian Church of Ft. Madison, 
is a native of Montgomery Conntj^ Pa., 
5 and was born Sept. 30, 1S2G. His father, 
Artemus Stewart, was a native of Philadelphia and 
a farmer by occupation, and in addition to his ag- 
ricultural transactions was also a dealer in real es- 
tate. He was a prominent man in his locality, and 
served as County Treasurer and also as Sheriff of 
Montgomery County. He was a resident of that 
countj' the greater part of his lifetime, and died 
there in September, 18C6, at the age of seventy- 
seven years. The mother of our subject, Eliza 
(Dillion) Stewart, was a native of Montgomery 
CountJ^ Pa., born in 1792, and is still living, in the 
full possession of all her faculties. 
. The parental family of our subject included 
eight children, of whom George D. was the eld- 
est son and the fourth in order of birth. He re- 
ceived his early education at Lawrenceville High 
School in New Jersey, subsequently graduating at 
Lafaj'ette College, Easton, Pa., and afterward en- 
tered on a course of instruction at Princeton Theo- 
logical Seminar3-, from which he graduated in 
1849. He was a close student, an extensive reader, 
and ambitious to excel, and after the completion of 
his studies was placed in charge of a parish at Con- 
quest, Caj'uga Co., N. Y., where he remained two 
years, then was removed to Bath, Steuben County, 
where he remained for eight years, and in 1859 
crossed the Mississippi and came to Iowa. He at 
once took charge of the church at West Point, 
where he remained for four years, was afterward 
stationed at Burlington for six and a half j'ears, 
thence transferred to Omaha, Neb., for. the same 
period, and in April, 1877, came to Ft. Madison, 
and has remained here since that time. He has 
been a most worthy and efficient pastor, and a wise 
nianiiger of church finances. Under his manage- 
ment the church building at Conquest was put in 
good repair, a church built at West Point, the one 



at Bath enlarged and im|)rovcd, and the one at 
Burlington reconstructed and greatij- altered for 
the better, and since having charge of the Ft. Mad- 
ison congregation the present edifice has been 
erected. It cost ^1.5,000, and when the building 
was dedicated the society had paid up all their in- 
debtedness. A prominent feature of Mr. Stewart's 
connection with church societies has been the fact 
that he has always strenuously opposed getting 
deeply into debt, and the present condition of the 
society at Ft. Madison is almost entirely due to his 
efforts in this direction. 

Rev. George D. Stewart and Miss Emily, daugh- 
ter of Dr. J. C. Walker, were united in marriage at 
F't. Madison in 18G4. Of this union there have been 
born three children — George B., Anna and Miriam. 
Mr. Stewart has been prominent in all matters tend- 
ing to the welfare of the community, morally', so- 
cially' and religiously, and is the center of a large 
circle of friends who comprise the best class of peo- 
ple in the city of Ft. Madison. 

"^OHN SEABOLD, a prosperous farmer of 
Jackson Township, is successfully prosecut- 
ing his vocation on section 17. He is a 
(^^7/ native of Germany, and was born May 2G, 
1830, his parents being Conrad and Elizabeth Sea- 
bold, also of German nativity and ancestry. Con- 
rad Seabold died in his native country, and the 
mother afterward emigrated to America, and be- 
came a resident of Jackson Township, where she 
spent the remainder of her days. They were the 
parents of two sons, George, who died in Jackson 
Township, and the subject of our sketch. 

After the death of his father, John Seabold, at 
the age of fourteen years, came to the United 
States with his mother and brother. They pro- 
ceeded directly to Iowa, and coming into Lee 
Count}-, located in Jackson Township, and here 
our subject has been engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits since that time, with the exception of two 
years. His present homestead comprises 1.50 acres 
of valuable land, upon which he has erected a good 
farm dwelling and all the necessary barns and out- 
houses. He has been industrious and prudent, and 



ill 



Hi! 








2o(; 



LEE COUNTY. 



PI 

V. 
h 



las received an ample reward for his labors in the 
possession uf :i comfortable home iiikI tlie good 
' tilings of till.- life. 

.Mr. Scabold was married, in .Jackson Township, 
to Mi.ss Coiidia Ileifner. a native of his own coun- 
|l try, who emigrated to America with her parents 
" wlieii a child two years old. Mr. and Mrs. S. be- 
_, came the parents of seven children, as follows: 
Margaret is the eldest: Leonard married Miss 
Wciide, and resides in Keokuk; Elizalieth became 
the wife of Alfred Wilkins. of .Jackson Township; 
Mary was married to William Wright, also of Jack- 
son Township; .John. Adam and (George are at 
lionic. 

Mr. Seabold siittered a great loss in the death of 
his wife, which occurred Oct. 1(5, 1871. She was 
an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, 
with which Mr. S. is also connected. He hast.aken 
an intelligent interest in the affairs of his coninni- 
nity, and enjoys in a marked degree the respect 
and esteem of his fellow townsmen. 




trade. 
City, 





AVID 15. IIAMILL, of the firm of S. 
llaniill it Co., wholesale grocers of Keo- 
kuk, Iowa, is, with his partners, conduct- 
ing a thriving and constantly increasing 
This firm is one of the oldest in the (iate 
and bj' its straightforward methods of 
doing business has secured the esteem and confi- 
dence of the business portion of the community. 
Our subject was born in I'ittsburgh, Pa., in March. 
1843, being tjie eldest son of Smith and Nancy 
(McCandless) Ham ill, uf Keokuk. Our subject 
came west to Keokuk with his parents when a 
child three years of age, and he received a good 
education in the common schools. He then entered 
" Monmouth College in Illinois, and then took a posi- 
tion in his father's store, where he continued until 
3 1864, when, the war being in progress, he enlisted 
in Co. C, 45tli Iowa \'ol. Inf., and upon the muster- 
ing of the company was made its First Lieutenant, 
holding his commission until ho was mustered out. 
He then returned to Keokuk, re-entered his father's 
store, and was soon taken in as a partner, since 
which time he has been actively engaged in assist- 



ing to conduct their extensive and lucrative trade. 
.Mr. Ilamill was married, in 1870, to Miss Louise 
.M. Sullivan, of Evansville, Ind., a lady of fine edu- 
cation and excellent family. Of this union there 
have been born two children — Louise I), and Emily 
N. Mr. Hamill and his wife belong to the First 
Westminster Presbyterian Church, of which he is a 
Deacon and Secretary. He took a partial course 
of lectures at the Keokuk Medical College, but 
concluded to engage in mercantile pursuits, and is S } 
considered one of the successful business men of 
Keokuk. 

e 




EORGE R. N UN N, a highly esteemed citi- 
zen, and one of the leading business men of 
the Gate City, has been a resident here since 
1S.')7, since which time he established the business 
in which he is still engaged, being a manufacturer 
of stairs, balusters, railings, wood mantels, and all 
the useful and ornamental work pertaining to this 
branch of industry. The business is located at No. 
314 South F'ourth street, and is one of the impor- 
tant manufactories of the city. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of the 
Emerald Isle, born in 1.S31, and came to America 
at the age of seventeen 3'ears. After reaching 
American shores, he proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
where he remained for ten years, engaged at the 
business which he still follows, and at which he was 
then serving his first apprenticeship. His parents 
were Rev. Nathaniel and Charlotte (Robinson) 
Nunn, both natives of Ireland. Nathaniel Nnnn 
w.as a Baptist clergyman, and came with his family 
to America in 1848. He settled in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, where he became eng.aged in missionary 
work, and where he is still living at the advanced 
age of eighty-four years, and still occasionally 
engages in his former pious office. 'I'he wife and 
mother departed this life in 1850. The parental 
household consisted of five children — Annie, George 
R., Phillip. Nathaniel and Charlotte. (The latter is 
a lady of fine literary tastes and more than ordin.ary 
ability, being the author of several works, among 
them one entitled "Ada Greenwood," and another 
called " Golden Sunbeams.") Phillip was a police- 
man of Cincinnati, and during the late war enlisted 



in the service. He went South with his regiment 
and was wounded at New Hope, (in., and taiien 
prisoner at Port Republic, Va.. remaining in the 
hands of the enemy for ttie space of eight months, 
but was finally exchanged. He held the rank of 
First Sergeant, and was afterward promoted Second 
J>ieutenant. In Cincinnati he was accounted one 
of the most efficient of the police force, and is now 
retired on account of wounds received in the tun- 
nel of the jail in Cincinnati during the riot of 
1884. 

George R. Nunn received a classical education 
in his native land. He worked at his trade in Cin- 
cinnati until coming to Keokuk in the fall of 
18.57, when he established his present business, 
which he carried on until the breaking out of 
the Rebellion, when he resolved to become a 
soldier in the service of his adopted countrj'. He 
accordingly enlisted in Co. H., Sixth Iowa Vol. 
Inf., remaining in the service nearly three and 
one-half years. He was mustered in as Second 
Lieutenant, promoted First Lieutenant, and was 
afterward commissioned Captain of his company. 
p He was engaged with his regiment in all the cam- 
paigns of Gen. Sherman up to the time of his 
march from Atlanta to the sea, and was wounded 
in the leg at the battle of Missionary Ridge. He 
received an honorable discharge, and returned to 
Keokuk in 1864, where he resumed his former 
business, adding to it the manufacture of furniture, 
which he carried cm for three years, but afterward 
abandoned. • 

Mr. Nunn was married in 1859. to Miss Mar3' 
Gorman, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they became the 
parents of two children — George L. and Lottie G. 
Mrs. Nunn departed th'is life in 1865. For his 
second wife Mr. Nunn chose a sister of the first, 
Ijg !Miss Kate Gorman, to whom he was married in 
1867. Of this union were born four children, two 
of whom survive — Mollie and Iowa. Mrs. Kate 
Nunn died in 1875, and Mr. Nunn married his 
present wife in 1877. Her maiden name was Miss 
Louise Wenzel, and she is a native of Illinois. 

Ws Mrs. Nunn is engaged in the manufacture of hair 
5 goods of all descriptions, and is carrying on a 
P thriving business at No. 418 Main street, in which 

Jj:is she employ's three women, and displays some of 



the finest work in her line to be found in the city. 
Mr. and Mrs. Nunn occupy a fine residence at 
the corner of Seventh and B.ank streets, and own 
several houses in tlic city which are occupied by 
tenants. He gives employment usuallj' to about j 
four men, and ships goods into the States of 
Neliraska, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. Mr. N. is 
one of the leading business men of the cit}', and is 
fulfilling all the obligations of a good citizen. 





iHOMAS H. HOWELL, of Jackson Town- 
ship, is pleasantly located on section 13, 
where he has a valuable farm estate consist- 
ing of 240 acres of land, a comfortable dwelling- 
house, good barns and outhouses, and all the appli- 
ances of a first-class farmer. He is a gentleman 
of excellent education, an extensive reader, and 
possessed of more than ordinary intelligence. He 
has been prominent in the affairs of this section 
since first coming here, and has occupied many of 
his winter seasons teaching in his own school dis- 
trict. Through his wise supervision of educational 
matters in this vicinity, the schools here have at- 
tained to a flourishing condition, and he has intro- 
duced many new and excellent features pertaining 
to the general management of school affairs and 
pupils. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of Wales, 
and was born July 13, 1834. His parents were 
Thomas and H.annah (Hopkins) Howell, of W^elsh 
parentage and ancestry, who emigrated to America 
from their native land in 1853. After reaching the 
shores of the New World they proceeded directly 
westward, crossed the Mississippi, and made their 
first location ni Keokuk, Iowa. They afterward re- 
moved into Jackson Township, established a home, 
and here spent the remainder of their lives. Their 
family consisted of two sons and four daughters, of 
whom the subject of our sketch is the youngest 
child. 

Thomas H. Howell, during his boyhood days, re- 
mained at home and attended the schools of his na- 
tive countrj'. He was nineteen years old when he 
came to the United States with his parents, and 
after they located in Keokuk he was employed in a 



m 








258 



LEE COUNTY. 



n 



E 



I' I 



y 



sawmill for about four years. He luul been reared 
to h.-ibit-i of industry and economy, and after he 
began to work for liiniself he saved his earnings, 
and at the expiration of the time mentioned found 
liiniself the possessor of means sufficient to purchase 
eighty acres of land in Jackson Township. He 
added to his landed possessions as his means ac- 
cumulated, and was prospered in his agricultural 
pursuits. 

.Mr. Howell was married in St. Francisvillc, Mo., 
July 24, IH.Oe, to Miss Clarissa James, daughter of 
Francis and Adeline (Wilcox) .lames, of Ohio. 
Mrs. Howell was the sixth of a family of seven 
children. She was born in Ravenna. Portage Co., 
Ohio, Dec. 13, IHSO, and by her union with our 
subject has become the mother of seven children, 
whose history we briefly record as follows: Han- 
nah, the eldest daughter, became the wife of George 
McCandless, and resides in Keokuk; Elizabeth 
married William Leake, of Jackson Township; 
Winslow, Alice E. and Adeline are at home with 
their parents; Alfred and Delia are deceased. 

.Mr. H. has held the various school offices of his 
township. He was Secretary of the School Board 
of this township for twelve years, and the first 
Township Clerk elected outside of Keokuk. Po- 
litically he is a stanch adherent of the Republican 
party. 



R. JOEL C. AVALKER, one of the most 
prominent and inHuential citizens of Ft. 
Madison, at which place he arrived Dec. 
30, 1836, was an early pioneer of the 
llawkeye State, and 'has been largely connected 
with the public affairs of this county ever since. 
He has attained to eminence in his profession, in 
which he has tjiken great pride anil given to it his 
closest attention. He is a man of fine education 
and possessed of a remarkable memory ; in fact, he 
is classed as a walking encyclopedia on account of 
his extensive knowledge upon general subjects, 
which has been the result of extensive reading and 
keen observation. There are few subjects upon 
which he has not some information and opinion, 
and his life is a remarkable exanii)le <>f what an in- 
dustrious student may accoinplisli. 

Joel C. Walker, M. D.. is a native of Ohio, and 




was liorii in Springtield, Feb. 7, IHlo. His father, 
also .loel C., was a native of Virginia, and his 
grandfather, Samuel Walker, was born in Chester 
County-, Pa. His great-grandfather, John Walker, 
was a unlive of Scotland, who emigrated to Amer- 
ica and made his first location in Chester County, 
of which he was one of the early pioneers. He re- 
mained there until his death, and his son, Samuel 
Walker, the grandfather of our subject, soon after- 
ward removed to \'irginia, settling in Rockbridge 
County. He purchased a tract of land two miles 
from the famous Natural Bridge, and this he im- 
proved and cultivated, and there estalilished a 
homestead, upon which he spent the remainder of 
his days. Five of his sons were soldiers in the 
Revolutionary War. 

Joel Walker, the father of our subject, was next 
to the youngest of a large family, and was reared 
upon the farm, being educated at Richmond. He 
adopted the profession of a civil engineer, and was 
for ten years engaged as survej'or in A'irginia. In 
1803 he removed to Ohio, locating on Beaver 
Creek, six miles east of Springfield, which town 
then contained about fifty inhabitants. Joel 
Walker purchased Government land, part timber 
and part prairie, built a log cabin, and when not 
engaged in survej'ing occupied himself in the 
improvement of his land. In 1824 he sold his 
farm and removed to Fayette Count}', where he 
became the owner of 2,000 acres on the north fork 
of Point River. He was often called upon to do 
surveying in tbe country' around him, and remained 
a resident of Fayette County until his decease, 
which occurred in 1833, at the age of sixty -eight 
years. He had surveyed large tracts of land for 
the Government in Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky, 
and was considered especially skillful and correct. 
He was married in earl}' niiinliood to Miss Marga- 
ret Armstrong, the daughter of Archibald Arm- 
strong, a native of Virginia and of Scotch ancestry. 
She departed this life Sept. 20, 182.i. She was a 
lad}' of fine education, highly accomplished, and 
well fitted to become the helpmeet of such a man 
as Joel Walker. 

The subject of our sketch received his first in- 
struction under the parental roof, his father espe- 
cially giving him careful training. In later yeai'she 




uii-^-jMamai^ 







attended a select school at Spriugfield, Ohio, and 
began the stLul>' of mediehie at Circleville, Ohio, 
at the age of twentj- j'ears. He entered the offiee 
of Drs. Olds and Gibson, who were among the 
eminent physicians at that time, and from whom he 
i-eoeived valuable instruction. In 183o he entered 
Jefferson College at Philadelphia, and in the fall of 
that year went to Illinois, spending a few weeks 
there, then proceeded to the Territory of Iowa, lo- 
cating on the present site of Ft. Madison, where he 
commenced the practice of medicine. He prac- 
ticed here until 1842, and was then appointed 
Clerk of the United States District Conrt, which 
position he held for the following five years. He 
then engaged in mercantile pursuits and siteculated 
in lands, and was also interested in internal im- 
provements. In 1802 he was appointed Collector 
of Internal Revenue by President Lincoln, and 
served in this capacity until 1867. Since 1879 he 
has been special land agent, and was largely instru- 
mental in settling the swamp land difficulty in the 
State of Illinois. These varied occupations proved 
a rich experience for him, giving him valuable 
knowledge of land laws and title deeds. 

Dr. Walker was married, Oct. 10, 1838, to Miss 
Martha Maria Stewart, who was born in St. Louis 
County, !\Io., Jan. 20, 1820.. Her father was Dr. 
Abraham Stewart, a native of Vermont, and a sur- 
geon in the LTnited States Armj'. The family are 
still in possession of letters written by him in 1810, 
one being from Chickasaw Bluffs. He spent the 
last years of his life at Hannibal, Mo., and his de- 
cease occuixed in 1834. In early manhood he was 
united in marriage with Miss Emily Aj'res. Her 
birth occurred in the fort on the present site of 
Marietta, Ohio, and her parents were members of 
the colony from Connecticut who settled in Ohio 
while it was yet a Territory. In 183.5 Mrs. Stew- 
art came with her famil3' to Lee County, arriving 
hereon the 11th of October. They settled two 
miles from Ft. Madison, and there remained until 
the death of the wife and mother, which occurred 
July 18, 1879, at the good old age of eighty-four 
years and six months. 

Dr. Walker and his wife have become the parents 
of three children — Emily W. Stewart, Margaret A. 
and Buffom S. Margaret lives in Washington City, 



forts and many of the luxuries of life. Dr. Walkei" 
has retired from active business and is living in 
the enjoyment of the competency which he securecj 
in the days of his manl3' vigor and strength, 
is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and was aj 
charter member t)f the society upon its organiza- ' 
tion at Ft. Madison. Before the agitation of the 
slavery question he was a Democrat in politics but 
always an anti-slaverj' man. He considered finally 
that he had good reason to change his political 
views, and upon the formation of the Republican 
party he heartily indorsed the principles which it 
advocated, and has since cast the weight of his in- 
fluence with this party. He has alwaj's been a 
strong temperance man, and has taken deep inter- 
est in the reforms inaugurated in this direction 
during the last fifty years. He is one of the land- 
marks of the county, with whose interests he has 
generously identified himself since becoming a resi- 
dent of this locality, and he is held in that rever- 
ential respect which is with one accord extended 
generally to the valued pioneers of the Hawkeye 
State. 



M 




BSALOM J. RICHARDSON, one of the 
pioneers of Madison Township, came to 
this section at an early period in its history, 
and has watched with deep and intelligent 



M 



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interest its growth and prosperity, which has steadily |} [j 
increased with the lapse of years, and has afforded to -H— DC 



ii 

lii 



the gaze of the pioneer a series of changes as re- 
markable as they have been pleasing. Mr. Richard- 
son, in common with his brother pioneers, from the 
time of his coming here has identified himself inti- 
mately with its interests and prosperity, and has^|Q>jp 
rejoiced at every step of the fulfillment of its early Hh^ 
promises. 

The subject of this history is a native of the 
Buckeye State, having been born in Hamilton 
County', three miles from the town of Jliami, 
March 15, 1826. His father, David Richardson, 
was a native of Philadel|)hia, Pa., as also was his 
gi-andfather, Joseph Richardson. The latter was 
descended from Scottish ancestry, Mho came to 




■262 



LEE COUNTY. 



m 




Aincrica with William Penii, being among the first 
settlers of the Keystone State. .loseph Richardson 
was engaged in inercjintile pursuits in Philadelpliia 
until IKOT. when he rcniovtMl tu Hamilton Connty. 
Ohio, and w;is anionii llic pioneers of that State. 
He piirehased a traet of timber land. ini|n-oved a 
farn) from the wilderness, established a eonifortabie 
home, and remained there until iiis death. His 
son David, the fathei- of our subject, was fourteen 
years of age wlien lie removed with Ins parents 
from Pennsylvania to Ohio. He grew to luanliood 
in the latter State .■md there married JHss .Jemima 
Foster, a lady whose native place was Baltimore. 
.Md. David Hiclianlxm purchased a tract of tim- 
ber land near the town of Miami, and built a log 
cabin, into which he removed witli his bride and 
his household belongings, and in wliieh the sul)ject 
of our sketch was born. They lived there until 
1K3G, when Absalom .1. of our sketch was a lad 
of ten years old. They then sold out, and remov- 
ing to Indiana, purchased a tract of [Jartly improved 
land in Hancock County, where they carried on 
farming operations until March, 1 !S4(!, when they 
again sold out and started farther westward. They 
made the journey overl;iud witii their lionsehold 
goods to the eastern banks of the ^^ssi8sippi, camp- 
ing and cooking l)_y the way, and cro.ssed the Father 
of Waters on a ferry-boat. 

After arriving in Lee County, David Richardson 
purchased a tract of land on section tj, of Madison 
Township. Here, he ;ind his family went through 
many of their former e.xijeriences in building up a 
farm from the uncultivated soil. There was a log 
cabin on the place and seventy-five acres h.ad been 
partially improved. Tliey proceeded industriously 
with the further cultivation of the land, and I'e- 
mained upon this farm until the death of the father, 
which occurreil in l.si;:i. The wife and mother 
soon followed her husb;uid to the other .shore, living 
H only until the following year. They were the par- 
ents of eight children, six of whom grew to mature 
years : Esther A. became tlie wife of James Inger- 
soll, and died in 1h.'(4; Angeline married . I oh n 
Barckley. and lives in Rawlins County, Kan.; 
Absalom. I. was the next in order of birth ; .Malachi 

D. went to California in \i^!J2, and was killed by 

Indians two years later: .Samuel F. lives in Green 



1 



Bay Township, this county; Elinore is the wife of 
William 1'. Hyter, of Barton County, Kan. 

Mr. Richardson of our sketch w.as eleven j'ears 
old when his parents moved toLidianaand nineteen 
when he came to Ft. Madison. He made his home 
with his parents until 1S.">2, and then, accompanied 
by his biotlier .M;d;iclii .-md others, started with ox- 
teams across the plains to California. After travel- 
ing four months they reached Marysville. Cal. ; 
where Mr. Richardson went into tlie mines, and 
was engaged in digging for the [)recious metals six 
mouths. He then took up a tract of Oovernment 
land and engaged in farming for two years. In the 
spring of 1H55 he started homeward, via the Isth- 
mus and New York, whence he proceeded to the 
home of his parents in Iowa. He soon afterward 
took charge of his father's farm, which he owned 
until recently, when he disposed of it by sale. 
Among the farm produce which he first marketed 
was a load of watermelons, the first -'fruit" of the 
kind cultiv.'ited in this section. 

The farm of Mr. Richardson was a fine estate con- 
sisting of ;i2() acres, 200 in meadow and cultivated 
land, and the remainder in i)asture and timber. It 
w.as supplied with a comfortable farm dwelling, good 
barns and out-buildings, and all the necessary ap- 
l)liances for carr^'ing on agriculture by the most 
.•i|)proved methods. He had costl3' farm machinery, 
all the various implements of modern invention, 
and everything about the homestead was indicative 
of wise and judicious management. It formed an 
attractive spot in the landscape of Lee County, and 
was observed with interest by the traveler passing 
through this section. 

The marriage of Absalom J. Richardson and 
Miss Su.san Bnllai'd was celelnated March 23, 185G. 
Mrs R. was a native of Morgan Connty, 111., and 
the daughter of Theophilus and Lucy (Armstrong) 
Bullard, a sketch of whom apjiears on another i)age 
in this volume. The following children were born 
of this union: Edward married Frances R. Bullard, 
the daughter i^if Alexander Bullard of this connty; 
Helen, Milton, Absalom, Theophilus, Eineline, 
Caroline and (Jeorge. The three last namecl are 
deceased. 

Mrs. Richardson died at their residence Aug. IG, 
IHHO, of c(msumplion. after a long illness. Mr. R. 



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is prominently connected with the Btiptist Cliurch, 

and in politics is a Democrat. 
jjiE It is with jileasure we present the portraits of Mr. 
" ■" and Mrs. Richardson in connection with this sketch. 



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eHARLES F. LYPj is senior member of the 
firm of Lye & King, of Keokuk, retailers and 
jobbers in dry goods, and occupies .1 promi- 
nent position among the l)usiness men of the (iate 
City. He is a native of Hastings. England, born 
March 4, 1840, and is the son of Robert and Eliza- 
beth (Pope) Lye, also natives of the same country. 
Robert Lye was a dry-goods merchant in earlier 
3'ears, and later a dealer in china ware. He re- 
tired from active business in 1.S72. The wife and 
mother departed this life in 18.i.i. Their family 
consisted of nine children, six of whom are living, 
the record l)eing as follows: Robert is in New- 
Zealand; Ellen, Mrs. Wheeler, is in Brighton, En- 
gland; the third child was Charles F., (jur subject; 
Mary J. is in London ; Francis E., in Brighton, and 
Archibald R., in Lewis, England. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his par- 
ents during his 3-ounger years, and received a good 
education in the primary schools, which was sup- 
plemented by attendance at the Bank Street Col- 
lege of Hastings, from which he graduated at the 
age of fourteen years. He was then apprenticed to 
Mr. Andrews, of Newmarket, Cambridge, to learn 
the dry-goods business. Here he remained for six 
years, then went to London, and was engaged as a 
clerk. He was employed in the dry -goods trade for 
four years, and then enlisted in the British army. 
He was i)romoted Sergeant, and served eight years, 
six years of this time being sjient in India and 
China. He was tiiere in the siege and capture of 
Takoo Forts, and was wounded in that engagement. 
He then returned with his regiment to f]ngland, 
subsequently went to Ireland, and was afterward 
stationed at Londonderr}'. The state of his health 
now necessitated his being sent to the hospital, and 
he secured his discharge on .account of disability. 

After his discharge from the array Mr. Lye en- 
gaged as clerk in the dr3'-goods business at Hast- 
ings, and was thus occupied for three years. In 




1870 he determined to seek his fortunes in the Newt 
World and came to the United States, making hisg^^q 
first settlement in Dearborn County, Ind. Here he 
engaged as clerk in the drj'-goods business, and 
remained for two j'ears. In 1878 he came to Keo-R 
kuk, and accepted a position with the firm of Ir- 
win, Phillips & Co., with whom he remained three 
years, and was afterward c<:)nnected with John Zerr 
in the dry-goods business. Mr. Lye established his 
present business in 1882, on the corner of Main and 
Eighth streets. The following year he associated 
himself in partnership with Mr. King. They are 
doing an extensive business, and give employment 
to six clerks. 

Mr. Lye was married in 1879, to Miss A. E 
King, d.aughter of the late James King, of Dear- 
born County, Ind. Of this union there has been 
born one child — Emma E. They occupy a hand- 
some residence on Fulton street, and their circle of 
friends and acquaintances includes the best citizens 
of Keokuk. Mr. Lj'e is a straightforward business 
man, highly respected in his community, and a val- 
uable factor among the l)usiness interests of Lee 
County. 




iOBERT BARR, a highly esteemed citizen of 
Ft. Madison, and an honored pioneer of 
the Hawkeye State, crossed the Mississippi 
)and came to Iowa two years after its ad- 
mission into the Union as a State. lie is a native 
of Westmoreland County, Pa., and was born July 
10, 1807. His parents, William and Elizabeth 
(Bell) Barr, were also natives of Pennsylvania, and 
the subject of our sketch was the fourth in a fam- 
ily of eight children. His father was a farmer by 
occupation, and his early 3'ears were spent under 
the parental roof, after which he worked at tanning 
and the saddlery trade. 

After arriving at years of manhood, Mr. Barr 
was married in 1832, to Mi.ss Nancy Braden, a na- 
tive of his own county, the date of her birth be- 
ing .Tan. 23, 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Barr made the 
journey from their native State to Iowa via the 
Ohio and Jlississippi Rivers. While passing thiough 
the city of Cincinnati, they, for the first time in 
their lives, were treated to the sight of telegraph 



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R] 



1 i_i_i III i>rt 




RS 



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264 



LEE COUNTY. 



polps, this city l)ein<i thPii the western tcnnimis of 
the few telcgiJipli linen which iiad i)pen laid. After 
Br-st comini"- into Iowa, they located :it West I'oinl. 
Lee Connty, and soon afterward purchased land at 
Pleasant Kidg:^-. where Mr. Harr was engaged in 
agricultural pursuits until \HH:i. He was pros|)ered 
in his underUiking. heconiing the owner of 241) acres 
of valuable land, which he sold In the year last 
mentioned, and removed to Kt. Madison, where he 
now lives, retired from active labor. 

The family of our subject and wife consisted of 
nine children, of wiiom the record is as follows: 
William enlisted in the 1st Iowa Cavalry, in 1862, 
and died in the service at St. Louis, in September, 
IH6;^; Benjamin F'. was a member of the same regi- 
ment, and died in the same month and year as his 
brother, at Memi)his, Tenn. ; the next child was a 
daughter — Klizalieth; .Martha J. died in 18.^0; the 
remainder are. Mar}- L.. (Jeorge W., Margaret C, 
Nancy and Robert J. 

Mr. Barr has been a prominent man in his com- 
munity and contributed of his time and means to 
the aid of everything calculated to benefit his 
adopted count}'. He has served as Justice of the 
Peace for several years, casts his vote with the Re- 
publican party, and religiously is connected with 
the Kpiscopal Church. 




^YJAMES WILSON, of Jefter.son Township, is 
successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits 
on section l.and has obtained considerable 
repiitaliou .<is a breeder of fine stock and a 
business man of more than oidiiiary integrity. He 
was lioru Fell. i;>, 1847. His father, Thomas Wil- 
son, was a native uf Kentucky, and was reared to 
manhood in his native county. At this period in 
the history of the latter, his father, Hugh Wilson, 
with his wife and eight children, of whom Thomas 
was one of the youngest, gathered together their 
household goods and st^irted to cross the Missis- 
sippi. They came into Iowa and made their first 
location in Jefferson Township, on the farm which 
now constitutes the honn'stead of James Wilson, 
the sulijcct of this narrative. They arrived here 



- ^ 



in 1 8;5;?, having previously lived for a brief timeg; 
in the States of Indiana. Illinois and Missouri. |ti 
They weic among the first settlers of .Jefferson: 
Township, and seemed (Jovernment land on what: '^-^ 
was known as the " half-breed " tract. This lay: Hj 
along the first bottoms of the Mississippi River, and: '- 
is now called Sand Prairie. A fort had already: h 
been built at what was then Madison, as a protec-: W 
tion against the savages, but as hostilities had then: 
ceased for a time they had no trouble witii the In-: 
dians. They proceeded with tiie impiovement of; [^ 
their property unmolested, erected the primitive^ 
log cabin, and lived contentedly, occupied in the|; .;. 
cultivation of the soil and with the hope of some-; []■ 
thing better in the future. In due time they re-; Ij 
ceived the reward of their labors in the establish-; l' 
ment of a comfortable home, and the substitution :\[- 
of smiling and productive fields for wild and un-: ^' 
broken prairie. Here the parents remained until: ."^ 
the death of the father, which occurred on the 2dS':[| 
of April, 1870, when he was about sixty-seven: ij 
years of age. The mother still survives, and resides; f[ 
with her son Thomas. The household circle em-SrJ 
braced three sons and three daughters, all of whomS-^ 

, ^ L 

are living. :[ 

James Wilson was educated in the public schools;;} 
of Jefferson Township, and remained with his i)ar-E [[^ 
ents until his marriage, which took place in Ft. t IJ 
Madison, Oct. 6, 1871, the maiden of his choice E\[ 
being Miss Hannah E. Arnold. Mrs. Wilson isaEi]; 
native of Clark County, Mo., and was born ins ? 
1849. Her father, Granville Arnold, iii early lifeg:} 
was a mechanic, but afterward engaged in mercan-; n 
tile pursuits, and in his later days was occupied:^ 
again with his trade and with farming pur.suits. Sr!} 
Mrs. W. was carefully trained, and received a good Si ^ 
education in tlie public schools, remaining at home;; i, 
until iier uiarri.age. Her parents are now deceased.; } 
Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson became the parents; ^ 
of five children, two of whom, Ada A. and an in-? i 
fant unnamed, are deceased. The living are Clay-j ^ 

borne E., Rhoda E. and Savburt. Since their mar-; a 

^ 'h 

riage Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have lived on the old; n 

'■' K 

homestead with their brother Thomas, who is part; H 

owner. It comprises 242^ acres, half of which is; n 
under good cultivation. Mrs. W. is a member in; i 
good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church,: ii 



and the subject of our sketch is a reliable Demo- 
crat, voting conscientiously to uphold the principles 
of his party. 

j8tv^ ICIIAKL WEIL, an iiiipuitant member of 
II l\\ ^^^ business element of Keokuk, is an ex- 
I (^ tensive dealer in pelts, wool, tallow, iron, 
* rags, etc., his warehouses being at Nos. 

100 and 102 Main street, at the corner of First street. 
The business was established in ltS77, and is pros- 
perous and steadil}^ increasing. Mr. Weil is a na- 
tive of Pontiac, Mich., born in 1854, and the son 
of Moses and Rosa (Gauz) Weil, natives of Aus- 
tria. They emigrated from their native countrj' 
to America in 1846, and proceeded directly to Pon- 
tiac, Mich., being among the early settlers there, 
whence they afterward removed to Ann Arbor. 
From there the elder Weil went to Chicago, 111., 
and for thirty^nine years was an active partner of 
the firm of Jacob Weil & Bros., who were exten- 
sively engaged in leather, sheepskin and wool man- 
ufactures. The wife and mother departed this life 
in 18.58. The pai'ental household consisted of four 
children, of whom only two are living — Michael, 
our subject, and Emanuel K., of Cliicago, with the 
firm of J. Weil it Bros. 

After the decease of his first wife, Mo.ses Weil 
was a second time married, to Miss Therese Led- 
erer, a native of Austria. They had a family of 
five children, as follows: Rosa, now Mrs. Eisen- 
drath. of Chicago; Simon, and Fannie, now Mrs. 
Teller, also of Chicago; .Iuse|)h, of Streator. 111. ; 
Sarah, now in Chicago with her mother. Tlie fa- 
ther of our subject died in 1885. 

Michael Weil attended school at Ann Arbor dui-- 
iug his earlier years, and subsequently received ad- 
ditional instruction in the iiuMic scliools of Chi- 
cago. He also attended the (iernian pulilic school. 
He was a bright and studious boy, fond <if his 
books, and ambitious to excel. His eduivition wm.s 
completetl by a course at Bryant iV Stratton's Col- 
lege, and at the age of fifteen years he went into 
his father's store, where lie reniMJneil one year. Mn<l 
was then sent to New York City to a branch estab- 
lishment, also conducted by his fatiier, and was 



there three years. At the age of nineteen he en- 
gaged in the boot-and-shoe business, which he sold 
after two years and returned to Michigan, being a 
dealer in wool, pelts and tallow at Ann Arbor for 
six mouths, after which he went to California, re- 
turning East in a short time, and soon thereafter, 
in 187tj, came to Keokuk, arriving here on the 28th 
of June. He soon afterward established his pres- 
ent business, which he has continued till the present 
time. He is a thorough-going business man, has 
built up a valuable trade, and by his straightfor- 
ward business methods and courteous demeanor 
has secured a large circle of friends and i^atrons. 

Michael Weil and Miss Emmie Klein were united 
in marriage in 1878, in Keokuk, and have become 
the parents of two children — Edith R. and .Sidney 
M. Mr. Weil is Republican in politics; socially he 
belongs to the Masonic fraternitj% also the A. O. 
U. W. and the B. B. The family occupy a fine 
residence on Blondeau street, and are highly re- 
spected, members of the communit3-. 



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i OBERT J. BARK, of Ft. Madison, is a na- 
tive of Lee County, and was born July 10, 
1851. His parents were Robert and Nancy 
(Bradeu) Barr, and he remained with them 
during childhood and early youth, receiving a good 
education in tlie public schools at Ft. Madison. He 
then taught school in the winters, and in the summer 
season was engaged in agricultural pursuits, being 
thus occupied for five years, or until about 1879. 
He then removed to Ft. Madison, and became a 
guard in the penitentiary, which position he occupied 
for three years. In the meantime he had been ap- 
pointed Deputy Treasurer of Lee County, in which 
capacity he served for two years and four months. 
He then became agent at F't. Madison for the Ft. 
Madison ik Northwestern Railroad Company, hav- 
ing charge of the station here until June, 1884. 
He then engaged in the insurance business, estab- 
lishing a permanent office, an<l has charge of an ex- 
tensive territory'. He is now the representative of 
thirty-three companies, having transactions in both 
lire and life insurance. In .lune, 188(1, he was made 



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aijsignee of the Republican-Herald, which he edited 
and piiblislied until Oct. 1.5, l«.s6. 

The in.arriage of R<jl)eit J. Hjiit imd Miss Anna 
M. Caldwell was celebrated .Ian. 1. 1 ><«(). Mrs. 
Ban- is a native of Wasliinglim County, Pa., and 
the daughter of John and Margaret Caldwell. 

In politics Mr. Barr is strongly Republican, and 
socially belongs to the F. & A. M. and K. of 1'. of 
Ft. Madison, Iowa. Mr. Barr was recently elected 
1)3' the voters of the Second Ward as an Independ- 
ent Alderman to represent tlieni in the Cit}' Coun- 
cil. He is also a member of Company F, 2d Regi- 
ment, lo'va National Guards. 



■«-^^-XXt>k^-^ 




C. CARTER. The gentleman whose name 
heads this biography occupies a prominent 
(xwition among the industrial interests of 
the (iate City, and is liighly respected for 
his straightforward business (jualities, no less than 
for his excellent personal character. For many 
years he has been tlie head of the firm of 8. C. &■. 
.S. Carter, dealers in lumber, doors, sash, blinds, and 
hi Uj" everything pertaining to their line of trade. The 
l3__nL otlice of tile company is located at the intersection 
of South Fourth and Des Moines streets, and their 
transactions extend over a wide area of territoi'y 
both east and west of the Mississippi. 

Mr. Carter is a native of Massachusetts, and was 
born in Berksliire Dec. 11, 1S12. He is the .son of 
William and Lucretia (Jones) Carter, also natives 
of the Bay State. The boyhood days of Mr. Carter 
were passed mostly in .school, and his vacations were 
employed with his father in the building business. 
nil He remained with his parents until he was twenty- 
^^ three 3'ears of age, and then, in companj' with his 
'■ il"~pr brothers, Charles and William P., and Mr. Henry 
!I_J3„W. Porter, engaged as a buildpr and contractor, 
he firm operating under the style and title of Por- 
er. Carter & Co. They continued in business for 
Uthrec years, when Mr. Carter disposed of his inter- 
ests therein, and going to Winsted, Conn., became 
engaged with a Mr. (4ilbert in the manufacture of 
locks, in which this firm became successful and 
uilt up an extensive trade. Mr. Carter then ha\ - 
itni;- a desii-e to ^^■t• sonietliiu"- of lb,, western 




country, started toward the Mississippi, but made 
his first location in Painesvillc, Ohio, where foi' 
two years he was engaged in the manufacture of 
sash, doors ami blinds, lie then started westward 
again in l.S;j4, ;ind coming into the Ilawkej-e Slate, 
located in Keokuk, where, with his brother, he 
became extensively engaged in the lumber business 
and manufacture of doors, sash, l)linds, etc. They 
established a profitable trade, and contiinicd until 
186H, when the contents of their mill and yard 
were destroyed by lire, entailing heavy loss. They, 
however, recovered them-selves in due time. All 
their previous transactions had been conducted in 
that straightforward and honorable manner which 
secured them hosts of friends, and they soon 
became re-established and successful, their eraplo3'es 
averaging twent^'-five men all the time, and at some 
seasons aggregating fortj". This of course necessi- 
tates the employment of a number of teams, and 
the lumber-yard of the Carters is now one of the 
most popular and prosperous in this locality. 

The marriage of S. C. Carter and Miss Mary A. 
(iibbs took place in Blandford, Mass., in .lul^', 
1H4-2. Mrs. Mary A. Carter died in 18-45, and Mr. 
Carter married for his second wife, Miss Mina 
AVood worth, of Painesvillc, Ohio, their union tak- 
ing place ill 18.o2. Mrs. Carter is a most excellent 
Christian lad}' (jf amiable and admirable character, 
earnestly devoti^d to works of charity' and kindness. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. C. are prominently connected 
with the Congregational Church. The}' have no 
children of their own, but supplied the place of 
parents to a little boy and girl whom the}' adopted 
in earl}' childhood. The former was named Annie 
Cliilds, and became an inmate of Mr. Carter's home 
at the age of five years, in 18,0.5. She remained 
with them until her marriage to Mr. Ballinger, now 
of Washington City, in 187(1, but only live<l until 
the year following her marriage. The boy, William 
Hardway, adopted at the age of eleven years, is 
now ill the office of Mr. Carter as general manager 
of the liiisiness. Both children were given the 
name of their adopted parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Carter occupy a handsome home in 
Keokuk, surrounded by all the appliances of culti- 
v;ited tastes and ample means, and are the center of 
a large circle of \v;uiii friends, who comprise the 



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best people of the Gate City. Politically Mv. 
Carter affiliates witli the Republican party, and 
iiiiifi)rnil3' casts his vote in support of its [irinciples. 

^s^ T. WOKLEY c\r SON, of K(;okuiv, are well 
^^^ known in this locality as successful and 
lll/^j skillful manufacturers of all kinds of road 
vehicles, carriages, buggies, tipriug wagons, 
etc. Tlie business house (a view of which appears 
on another page), is located at tiie intersection of 
Johnson and Seventh streets. The head of the firm 
long years ago established a reputation for ui)right- 
ness of character and honest}' in business trans- 
actions, and the residents of the Gate City with 
whom he is best acquainted, entertain for him the 
highest respect. 

S. T. Worley is a native of Ohio, and was bi>rn 
.Ian. r.i, 1 s;)-2, his parents l)eing Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Truitt) Worley, natives of Oliio and Kentuckj' re- 
spectively'. Jacob Worley was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and pursued this calling the latter j'ears of 
his life near Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio, where 
lie was [iroprietor of a large estate and one of the 
prominent men of that section. He was a soldier 
in the War of 1812, and at the close of his military 
service returned to his farm pursuits in the vicinity 
of his birthplace. He and his wife were connected 
with the iMethodist Episcopal Churcli, of which he 
was Class-Leader and Exhorter f()r many years. 
After a life tilled with generous cliaritiesand kindly 
deeds, he folded his hands for his final rest on the 
2d of April, 184G. The mother survived him for 
the long term of thirty years, and departed this life 
in 1876. Their family included six children, of 
whom four are still living: Eveline, Mrs. Bunall, 
lives in Ottumwa, Iowa; Anne, Mrs. Neach, resides 
in Missouri; S. T. is the subject of our slietch; 
Lydia, Mrs. Hall, lives in (^uincj-. 111. 

The subject of this biographj- remained with his 
parents on the farm until he was sixteen years old, 
in the meantime receiving a good edncation in the 
pnl)lic schools. He then went to I'drtsmouth, Ohio, 
and served an apprenticeship of three and one-half 
years at the blacksmith trade, and for two and a half 
ycnrs succeeding workeil as a journeyman, i>art of 



the time in Ohio and the balance in New York 
State. He then began to learn engineering on the 
steamers of tiie Mississippi, and after three and one- 
half years thus occupied, returned to Portsmouth, 
Ohio, and became engaged in his (_)ld-time occupa- 
tion, lilacksmithing, t<> which he also added the 
manufacture of wagons. He pursued this joint 
calling for the following six years, in the meantime 
having establislicd a juofitable jjusiness, which he 
then sold out witli the intention of migrating fur- 
ther westward. He entered the Prairie State, and 
locating in (^uinc}-, engaged in tiie same business 
which he had latterly* pursued in Ohio. About this 
time the Rebellion began to assume alarming propor- 
tions, and Mr. Worley resolved to liecoiue a soldier 
of the Union and contribute his humble efforts to 
aid in its preservation. He went into the army as 
a iirivate, and the same year (1862) was commis- 
sioned as Lieutenant, which rank he held until the 
following April, when he was tendered a Captain's 
commission, and remained in the service as C'ap- 
tain of Co. A, ll'Jth 111. Vol. Inf., until he was 
mustered out in February, 1865. 

Capt. AVorley participated in tlie engagements vf 
that campaign, and was in the battles at (Queen's 
Hill, Miss., Jackson, Ft. Derusa on the Red River, 
Pleasant Hill, La., and in many other general en- 
gagements and skirmishes, from which he escaped 
without any serious wounds. At the close of his 
military career he returned to his home in Illinois, 
and desiring to establish a future home beyond liie 
Mississippi, sold out his business in Quincy, and 
came into Iowa, locating in Keokuk, where he es- 
tablished his present business and in which he has 
been continuously engaged since that time. The 
present fine building was erected in 18.So. It is of 
brick, and consists of two stories and basement, and 
covers an area of .50x80 feet. Tlie firm employ 
from ten to twelve workmen, and their goods are 
shipped to different parts of this and other States. 

Mr. Worle}' was the first time married in 1853, 
to Miss Caroline Pile, of Ohio, daughter of Jere- 
miah and Philomelia Pile. Of this union there were 
lioni two children — Laura E. and Charles M. Mrs. 
Caroline Worley died in 1856. The second wife 
of our subject was Miss Elizabeth J. Hicks, to 
wiicnn he was married in 1858, Siie is a daughter 




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of James and Sarah Hicks, and a most excellent 
Christian lady. Of this union there are seven chil- 
dren living: William II. is connected in business 
with his father; Knima S. is a graduate of the High 
School of Keokuk ; the others are Ida S., James H., 
Harry F., Grace and Mary. 

Mr. Worley owns and occupies a fine residence 
at the intersection of Orleans and Twenty-second 
streets, and he and his family are held in high es- 
teem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 
They are prominently connected with the Method- 
ist Episcopal Cliuich, of which Mr. \V. has been 
Trustee and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school 
for many years. He is a member in good standing 
of the G. A. 11., and in all respects is a representa- 
tive citizen, who has aided materially tiie industrial 
interests of his adopted city, and has always cast 
his inrtuence in favor of sobriety, religion and mor- 
ality. 






CARL T. ORAMM, a rising young 
ractitionerof the Gate Citj-, and a gentle- 
CfiJ^^ man of more than ordinai'y intelligence 
^'^^ and ability, is a fine student, and well 
read in the intricacies of his profession. He 
is a native of St. Louis, Mo., his birth taking 
place Jan. 4, 1HG2, and is the son of Rev. William 
(iramm, a native of Berlin, German^-, who, years 
ago, became famous as an author of rare merit and 
iiigh literary attainments. Rev. AVilliam Gramm 
in his early youth emigrated to America. He after- 
ward be(;aine tiie author of several publications in 
German, and is now considered (me of the ablest 
writers in his language in this country. He is the 
father of two children — Emily, now Mrs. Baer, of 
Ohio, and Dr. Carl T., the subject of our sketcii. 
Dr. (iramm entered the freshman class of Central 
Wesleyan College at the age of thirteen years, and 
graduated four years later at Lj'ons, Iowa. He 
then commenced tlie study of dentistry, locating in 
I'eoria, 111., afterward was a resident successively 
of Chicago, Davenport, and Spirit Lake, Iowa, 
^ where he )-emaincd two years, and thence came to 
Keokuk in 1<S85. He has built up a line practice 
and bids fair to rank among the first in his pro- 



posed of literarj- and i)rofessional works, and he 
avails himself of every opi)ortunity to gain the best 
information relating to the intricacies of his pro- 
fessicm. He is ambitious to excel, which fact is 
ajipreciatcd by the widening circle of his friends 
and patrons, and we predict for him a bright and 
enviable career. 



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OUS JUllXSON, a |)rogressive farmer of 
Pleasant Ridge Township, who owns and oc- 
cupies a comfortable homestead on section 
30, has been a resident of the Hawkej'e 
State since IHoo, and has noted with deep interest 
its remarkable development and progress, and has 
contributed, as opportunity afforded, to the best 
interests of his adopted county. Our subject was 
born in Oneida County, N. Y., May IG, 1833, and 
is the son of Seth and Lovina (Adams) Johnson, 
who with their family removed to Huron County, 
Ohio, when their sou John was a child one year old. 
There he grew to manh(jod under the parental 
roof, assisting in the duties around the homestead, 
and received a fair education in the common 
schools. In 1855 he came with his father's family 
to Iowa, ami has been a resident of Lee Countj' 
since that time. 

Mr. Johnson was married, on tlie Uth of .lanu- 
ary, 185C, to Miss Mahala Canfield, of Buffalo, N. 
Y., who subsequently went to Erie County, Ohio, 
in which place the marriage of herself and our sub- 
ject was celebrated. After liis nianiage Mr. John- 
son returned to Iowa, and engaged in farming in 
Pleasant Ridge Township. Two years later he pur- 
chased seventy acres of his present homestead, 
upon which they settled, and he occupied himself 
in its improvement and cultivation until the out- 
break of the late war, wiien lie enlisted in the 
Lnited States .service, as a private of Co. I, 30th 
Iowa Vol. Inf. The following year he was trans- 
ferred to the 5th Regiment, N'eteran Ke.serve Corps, 
with which he remained until the close of tiie war. 
He was a brave and faithful soldier, and partici- 
pated with his comrades in various engagements, 

battles of Haines' Bluff 



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and Arkansas Post. He escaped without injury, 
aud was mustered out of service .July 4, 1865, at 
Indianapolis. 

jMr. and Mrs. .Johnson have become the parents 
of seven children: Pha'be; Elmer, who died in 
1883, at the age of twenty-one years; KUet; Hubert 
and Ehert, twins; and A'erona and Verna, also 
twins. In politics Mr. .Johnson affiliates with the 
Republican party, and in religion is prominently 
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Cluirch. 
He is held in high esteem in his community, and in 
all respects is fulfilling the obligations of a good 
citizen. 



ACOB OHLER, of Donnellson, is successfully 
carrj'ing on a livery business but recently es- 
tablished, but which in the course of a few 
months has increased to goodly proportions. 
Mr. Ohler is a fair representative of that energetic 
and persevering element which has aided so materi- 
ally' in the development of this section, and of which 
some of our best citizens are composed. He is a 
native of Bavaria, and was born Dec. 18, 1854. 
His father, George J. Ohler, was an enterprising 
German farmer who emigrated to the United States 
in 1868, with his family, consisting of three chil- 
dren — Adam, Fred and .Jact)b. They located in 
New York City, where the father soon became en- 
gaged as foreman in a distillery, which position he 
occupied for the succeeding twenty-one months, 
and then turned his face further westward. Cross- 
ing the Father of Waters with his family, he came 
into Lee County, and establishing himself in Frank- 
lin Center, remained there until his death, which 
occurred Dec. 10, 187.3. The maiden name of the 
mother was Elizabeth Kirchner, and she departed 
this life in her native land, in 1857. 

Soon after coming to this country, .lacob Ohler 
left the parental roof to earn his own living. He 
was an industrious and ambitious boy, willing to 
work at whatever his hands could find to do. The 
first three years he was emploj'ed on the farm of 
Mr. Fred Haffner, well known in this vicinity, and 
during the winter season attended school, by this 
means securing a good education, as he was natur- 
.ally studious and fond of liis books. lie was mar- 



ried in Franklin Township, Oct. ■22, 1876, to Miss 
Cora Sell, a native of his own country, born April 
12, 1858. She came to the United States with her 
parents, Casper and Cora (Cramer) Sell, when a 
child four years of age, and they settled in Charles- 
ton, Lee County. Her parents are still living in 
Charleston Township on a farm. Of the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Ohler have been born two children^ 
Emma S. and (Tcorge C. 

A part of the time since his marriage Mr. Ohler 
was successfully engaged in the wine and li(iuor 
trade, and has accumulated quite a comfortable 
property, which consists of his residence and si.x 
lots, one of which is devoted to his livery business, 
and equipped with stables and all the appliances 
necessary to the successful prosecution of his call- 
■ing. lie keeps a fine assortment of horses and 
vehicles, and is bound to succeed. In politics he is 
a solid Democrat, with which party he uniformly 
casts his vote. In all respects he is a worthy citi- 
zen, and enjo}^s the confidence and esteem of a large 
circle of friends. 




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\i] F. DAUGHP2KTY, a prominent wholesale 
liquor dealer and wholesale agent for the 
Anahauser Busch Brewing Association of 
[^^)J) St. Louis, Mo., and the P. Best Brewing- 
Company, of iMilwaukee, Wis., is located at No. 
211 .Johnson street, Keokuk, where he is conduct- 
ing a flourishing and lucrative business. Mr. 
Daugherty was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, Sept. 1 6, 
1835, and is a son of James and Sarah (Linn) 
Daugherty, natives of Maryland and Ohio respect- 
ively. The father of our subject went to Ohio at 
an early d.ay, and there served an apprenticeship at 
the hatter's trade. He was there married to Miss 
Sarah Linn, and then moved to Indiana, where he 
acted in the capacity of "mine host," and also en- 
gaged in the manufacture of liats until 1841. Dur- 
ing that year .lames Daugherty with his family 
eame overland to Iowa, and took up his residence 
at Keokuk. He erected a small dwelling on .lolni- 
son street, and Itefore moving into it domiciled in 
a log cabin with a single room. When his own 
residence was comijleted. he uiomhI into il, and 



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followed building and teaming of all kinds for 
about five years. At the expiration of this time he 
had saved a little money, and he embarked in the 
mercantile and rcal-e.state business, which was his 
avocation until liis demise, which took place in 
18,52. The wife and mother is still living, in the 
seventy-first yeai' of her age. The parental family 
consisted of eight children, five of whom survive, 
uamel}', James F.,i>ur subject; David C.,i)f Idaho; 
Frank iM., of WashingtdU Territory; Alexander, 
of the same place, and Lemuel, of Keokuk. 

.lames F. Daugheity received his education in 
the schools of Keokuk, and when seventeen years 
of age engaged in the baking and coufeetionary 
i] business. The first enterprise of our subject was 
begun in 1858, and continued with no small degree 
of success until 18C0. Abandoning the latter busi- 
ness he embarked in the dry-goods enterprise at 
Croton, this county, and after conducting it for 
awhile, sold out and returned to Keokuk, and at 
once entered uiion the same kind of business in 






which he is engaged at the ))resent time. This he 
continued until July, 18(il, when he recruited a 
company for the .^th Reg., Iowa \'ol. Inf. This 
company, however, together with a company that 
^g=-| the brother of our subject had raised, went to the 
"^ ^ irsenal at .St. I.ouis, forming .a nucleus, and formed 



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the lOth Missouri Infantry, and our subject was 
commissioned Captain of Co. H, Idtli .Mo. \'ol. Inf., 
in 18(;i. He was in the service twelve months, 

Til"^" and was mustered out at .St. Louis, in July, 18(;2. 

J»_W^ Me was engaged in all the skirmi.shes around Cor- 
inth, and also participated in the capture of that 
pl.K'c. After his return home and remaining a 
shorl lime, he accepted the position of suttler in 
the same regiment, which he contiinied to hold un- 
til the eai)ture of X'ieUsburg. 

Keturning from Nicksbiug to Keokuk, during 
the winter, he, the following spring, took an o.\- 
train loaded with general merchandise to \'irginia 
City, M. T. He was on the route si.\ months, and 
arriving at that pl.-ice opened a general store, en- 
giiged in mining, and there remained until 18GG, 
when he disposed of his stock and returned home, 
having met with considerable success in his adven- 
ture. His jouiney homeward was made by stage, 
vi.i Salt Lake, Denver and Le.iv en worth, where he 




5^ 



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took the railroad to Keokuk. Shortly after his ar- gt [ 
rival at the latter place, he engaged in steamboat- a|li 
ing, running from .St. Louis to Dubuque and Ft. 
Heulon on the Missouri River. He, however, suc;- 
ceeded in getting his boat only within Km miles of 
Ft. Benton, and w.as c<)m|>elled to haul his freight 
and passengers by ox-trains from Corr Island on 
the Missouri River, to Ft. Benton, and brought 
back from there a load of passengers in rough 
boats, but the weather wjis terribly cold, and the jl 
river becoming frozen, his boat was frozen in the ;; 
river, near Yankton, Dak., and was sunk by the S; 
ice the next spring, entailing a total loss. Return- B'ij 
ing to Keokuk our subject was appointed Deputy Si: 
('it3' Clerk, and held that ollice for a short time, 
and has also lieen elected to the Council of that 
city and appointed Deputy County Clei'k. He 
commeuced the business in which he is at present 
engaged, in I.sti8, and by strict attention to the 
same has built up a flourishing and profitable trade. 
Mr. Daugherty was married in 18.J.5, to Miss 
Caroline Langford, a native of Keokuk, and the 
first white girl born in the cit}\ Two children 
were born of their union, James and Alice, the lat- 
ter of whom is now Mrs. Lawver, (jf Omaha. 
Mrs. Daugherty died in 18(58, and our subject 
formed a second matrimonial alliance. Miss Mary 
Caldwell, a native of this State, being the other 
contracting part}-. She bore him two children, 
ICmma and Frank, and departed this life in 1870. 
Our subject was married a third time. Miss Del- 
phene Ressler, a native of Missouri, being his pres- 
ent wife, and of the latter union five children have 
been born — Maude and Myrtle (twins), Delphene, 
Ralph and Mabel. Mr. Daugherty is a Democrat 
in politics, in which he takes no little interest. He 
has been delegate to the National Convention, and 
in 18G8 was elected a delegate to the .Soldier's and 
.Sailor's Convention at New York. He has held 
the chairmanship of many iraportsint committees, 
and has also been a member of the District Con- 
gressional Committee two terms. Mr. Daugherty 
has been considerably interested in real estate in 
Keokuk, and has aided in the upbuilding of the 
city by becoming extensively' interested in the 
erection of numerous business houses and resi- 
dences, and has a tine home of his own on Seventh' 



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273 



:ind Fulton streets, costing about $25,000. It is 
M lieated by steam and lit by gas, and is in a pleasant 
aia location. A lithugraphic view of Mr. Daugherty's 
Ii3 residence is shown on another page of this woi'k. 



<'>s«-«iilliH«!-; 



-^~i<. 




ETEK KREBILL, a successful farmer and 
stock-raiser of Franklin Township, is ex- 
^ tensivelj' engaged in agricultural pursuits 
oil section 19. He comes of an excellent 
family whose ancestry was widel}' known in the 
Rhine Province of Bavaria, and was the youngest 
son of Frederick Krebill, a miller by occupation. 
He remained with his parents until his marriage to 
Miss Anna Risser, a native of his own countiy. 
There were born to them, in Germany, seven sons 
and one daughter, the latter being the widow of 
,Mr. Eberly, and the youngest of her father's fam- 

Peter Krebill was a little lad five years old when 
he came to America with his father's family. After 
reaching the shores of the New World they pro- 
ceeded directly to Ashlaud County, Ohio, where 
they remained for a number of years, during which 
time the subject of our sketch developed into man- 
hood, learned the carpenter's trade, and was united 
in marriage with Miss Magdaleua Fox, Feb. 15. 
1856. Mrs. Krebill is a native of the same coun- 
tiy as her husband, and was born April 0, 1833. 
She was tiie eldest of a family of live children of 
Casper and Margaret (Kraupner) Fox, both natives 
of Bavaria. Her father was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and her brothers and sisters were all born in 
the Fatherland. The date of their arrival in Ash- 
land County was 1852, and the parents established 
a permanent home there, where their lives termin- 
ated at the ages of seventy-seven and sixty-two re- 
spectively. Mrs. K. was educated in her native 
country', and was eighteen years old when her fain- 
ilj' removed to the United States. She remained 
with them until her marriage, the wedding being 
celebrated at the parental homestead. 

Mr. and Mrs. K. have become the parents of 
eleven children, of whom the record is as follows: 
Anna liecariie tlie wife of Jacob P. Schowalter, who 
is a farmer and stock-raiser of McPhersou County, 



Kan. ; David and Henry are at home ; Margaret is 
the wife of August Krebill, a farmer of Franklin 
Township; Lena, Samuel. Peter, John, P>lward, 
Laura and Frederick are at iiome. 

After his marriage in Ohio, Jlr. K. operated a 
sawmill and was engaged in general farming until 
his removal West. He crossed the AHssissippi in 
May, 1857, and coming into Lee County, settled 
in Franklin Township, where he had previously pur- 
chased land. His homestead consists of 332 acres, 
all in a high state of cultivation and finely .stocked 
with high-grade cattle. He has been a prominent 
man in his community since coming here, and has 
aided materiallj' in the development of this section. 
He has held the various offices of the township, and 
takes an interest in pnlilic affairs. Politically he 
is a solid Democrat, and religiously the family is 
connected with the Menuonite Church. 

LFRED DAVIS, the son of an early iiioneer 
of Iowa who became a prominent and suc- 
cessful farmer, was born in this county on 
^' the 23d of May, 1851. His parents were 

William and Huldah (Huff) Davis, a sketch of whom 
will be found in another part of this work, and he 
was the eldest son of a farail3' of four children. He 
was reared on his father's farm in Cedar Townshiii, 
receiving a good common-school education, but was 
put to work early and labored faithfully- until he 
reached his majority, assuming manj' responsibili- 
ties. The year following he was married to Eliza- 
beth, the daughter of John Davis, Esq., also of this 
county, who died in 1874. The mother of Mrs. D., 
Dinah (Barker) Davis, died when the wife of our 
subject was but three years of age. She was the 
mother of five children, one son and four daughters. 
The brother of Mrs. D. served as a soldier during 
the late war in the Uth Iowa Cavalry and died while 
in the service. The sisters are all living. The par- 
ents of Mr. and Mrs. Davis belonged to the Society 
of Friends. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Davis 
remained on his father's farm in Cedar Township 
for two years, when our subject removed to hi.« 
present homestead on section 5. This is known as 




n ;; ii 



lH' 




LEE COUNTY. 




the Elislia Hampton fann.and is beautifiill}' located 
in till' nurtliei-n part of Lee Count}', in Marion 
Township. Tlie siibi~tanti:il l)rici< dwelling is situ- 
ated on an elevation and conunands a tine view of 
llie surrounding country. Mr. Davis has a good 
liarn and all neees.sar}' out-ljuiidings for tiie shelter 
and care of stock, of which he raises high-grade 
Short-horn cattle, Poland-China hogs and thorough- 
lire<l Merino sheep, in which he takes great interest, 
'['o this latter industry Mi-. Davis gives especial at- 
tention and has been very successful, deriving from 
it a liandsonie income. Mis stock, as well as other 
products, is disposed of on tlie farm. Mr. and 
.Mrs. Davis have become the parents of four ciiii- 
dren — Arthur Iv, Ella M.ay. William. and one little 
daughter, .Mary J., who is now deceased. 



I 



mm 



Tl 

PI 
m\ 

mm 



JOSEPH KUICIIEL. a prosperous and enter- 
prising fruit-grower of .lackson Towiisiiip, is 
pleasantly located on section 1:^, and ranks 
among the thriving and energetic citizens of 
this section. He is a fine rei)rcsentative of the 
(icrniMii nationality, and possesses the stanch and 
persevering ([ualities of his countrymen. Our sub- 
ject was liorn in (Jermany Jan. 21», l.s;J2, his par- 
ents being .bihn and A. Sybilla (Hcil) Krichel. of 
(icrman ancestry and parentage. Tlie father died 
in his native land; the mother afterward came to 
America and resided with liei' son in Jackson Town- 
ship until the close of her life, Dec. .'id, l.s7;i. siie 
was born Nov. I, 1H()7. 

The subject of our skctcli wms the only child u( 
his parents, and when a young man twenty-three 
years old. left his native land and came to America. 
In his native country he had been engaged princi- 
pally- at basket-making and gardening, which latter 
occuijation he resumed aftei- coming here, (ipon 
reaching American shores he landed in New Or- 
leans, and located on HIack Hiver. La., following his 
occupation there for one year, and then retuined to 
his nati\t' country for his mother an<l to be m.-uried. 
In the spring of ISS;')? he crosM'd the Atlantic again, 
bringing Lack with him bis mother and his bride. 
They crossed the .Mississippi. cuMiing into lowa,:ind 



Mr. K. engaged in gardening upon rented land for 
a i>eriod of eight jears. He then purchased twelve 
and one-half acres, and has been successfully en- 
gaged in gardening and fruit-raising since that 
time. He has erected a good dwelling-house, and 
his homestead is sui>plied with every comfort ami 
convenience. He has forty-two and one-half aci-es 
on section 1 1 . 

The marriage of Mr. Krichel and .Miss Catharina 
Bienstein was celebrated in their native land .Inly 
1, 18o(>. Mrs. K. w.as born in 1830, and by her 
union with our subject l)ecan)e the mother of seven 
children, of whom the two eldest, Sybilla an<l Cath- 
arine, are deceased. Those surviving are: Peter. 
John H. W., Anna ('.. Caroline and Julius ('. Mr. 
K. has been prominently connected with the affairs 
of his townshii). occupying the otticc of Trustee 
and similar i)ositions, and has been a member of 
the School Board for nine years. He is Demo- 
cratic in polities, and a member of the .Masonic 
fraternity. 

A view of Mr. Krichel's residence is shown on 
.-mother page of this work. 



OHN W. SCHOtiOS, one of Keokuk's fore- 
most business men, and the pioneer lumber 
dealer of the place, first established his busi- 
'(^// ness in that cit^' in 1847, and has conse- 
((uently been engaged in the same for upward of 
forty years. John W. Scroggs was born in Trumbull 
County, Ohio, Oct. .">, 1811), and is the son of Aaron 
Scroggs, a farmer by occupation. The latter was 
of Scotch ancestry, as likewise was his wife, Sarah 
(White) .Scroggs, and thej- were both born in the 
State of Penns^-lvania. There were twelve children 
in the parental family, and eleven of the number 
lived to attain the age of matuiity. and are scat- 
tered throughout the ditterent States of the Union. 
John W. .Scroggs was the third son and fourth in 
order of birth of his parents' children. He i)assed 
his l)oyhood da3-s on his fathei-'s farm, receiving 
the advantages atfi)rded by the common schools, 
and continued to make the parental household his 
home until be was twenty-one years old. On 
becoming his own man he started out to do for 



^1^, 



i>,Hr'r',PSJ 







himself, and worked at the carpenter's trade for 
severnl years. In the fall of 1S4.5 he drifted AVest, 
and we first take note of iiim at Keoivuiv while the 
State was yet a Territory. On locating there he 
immediately embarked in liiniher dealing, on a 
small scale it is true, and alst> worked at his trade. 
He continued working at the latter until 1)^4S, 
when he abandoned it, and devoted his time exclu- 
sively to the lumber interests. At that time lum- 
ber was scarce and prices high, and Mr. Scroggs 
did an excellent business and made money rapidly. 
He continued to meet with success until the finan- 
cial crisis of 1857, when he lost heavily. However, 
by g(jod management he succeeded in paying all 
liis debts, and continued in his business while 
man}-, not onl^' in Keokuk, but throughout the 
entire countr}', were compelled to go down. 

In 1865 Mr. Scroggs was united in marriage 
with Miss Lizzie Henderson, of Wooster, Ohio, 
and the}' have one daughter, Lizzie L. In 18(i7 
our subject was elected as an Alderman of the 
city in which he resides. He is the owner of a 
good residence, and in the sun.set of life is enabled 
to retire from active labor on a handsome compe- 
tency. Politically' Mr. Scroggs is a stanch Re- 
publican. 

'JI^OHN DOWNS, M. D., a prominent physician 
and surgeon of Ft. Madison, is a native of the 
Buckej'e State, and was born in Highland 
County, April 15, 1854. His father, James 
Downs, was a native of County Limerick, Ireland, 
and emigrated to America at the age of eighteen 
years, locating first neai' Watertown, N. Y., where 
he was employed in agricultural jjursuits. He 
removed from there to Lockport, and was married 
at the latter place in 1852, the lady of his choice 
being Miss Mary McKerney. She was also a native 
of his own county in Ireland, and soon after their 
marriage they removed from New York to Ohio, 
and established themselves upon a rented faim in 
Highland County, where thej' remained until 18()2. 
They then decided to go further West, and cross- 
ing the Mississippi located in Ralls County, Mo., 
where he purchased i)roperty near the town of 
Saverton, and remained upon this propert}' until 



his decease, which occurred 
widow and six children. 

The subject of our sketch was the eldest child 
of his [tarents' faniil}'. The 3'ear following the 
death of his father, three of the children were takei 
from the household circle. The bereaved mother 
bore her great afflictions with resignation, and 
determined to kee]i the remainder of the familj' 
together, succeeding nobly in her resolution. In 
1.S68 she was married the second time, and her son 
.John, our subject, remained with his mother and 
stepfather until twent}" years of age. The latter 
was a farmer by occupation, the owner of a tract of 
land, and John D. assisted in the duties of the farm. 
At the age above mentioned he started out for 
himself, worked upon a farm for six months in 
Knox County, Mo., and in the winter following 
attended the high school at Edina. He continued 
his studies for the following nine months, and at 
the close of the term went to live with Dr. O'Brien 
at Edina, and there took up the study of medicine. 
At the same time he earned money b^' teaching 
school, and improved every opportunity to culti- 
vate his mind and keep himself supplied with good 
and instructive books. He taught in the cit}', and 
also had charge of Dr. O'Brien's office in his 
absence. He made good progress in his studies, 
and found excellent friends who encouraged his 
efforts to perfect himself in his future calling. In 
the winter of 187(!-77 he entered Rush Medical 
College, at Chicago, where he remained until 
spring, receiving valuable instruction in that insti 
tution. He then returned to Edina, still closely 
pursuing his studies until the fall of 1877, when he 
entered the Keokuk College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, from which he graduated in the spring 
of 1878. He then returned to Ediiia and com- 
menced practice, remaining there until the summer ''^ 
t)f 1882, since which time he has been a resident of 
Ft. Madison, and has built up an extensive and 
valuable business. He stands high in his profession 
here, and has hosts of friends and pations. 

Dr. Downs was married, Oct. IG. I.s.sS, to Miss 
Caroline Schwartz, a native of Lee County, Iowa, 
and daughter of John (i. and Catherine .Schwartz. 
Of this union two children have been born, John 
Charles and James Leo. Mr. and Mrs. Downs are 



111 



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it- 

11 



H 




LEE COUNTY. 



eanifsl adherents of the Catholic faitli, and pn^uii- 
iK-nt members of St. Joseph's Church in this city. 
He is also a member in good standing of St. 
Joseph's Benevolent Society, and is prominent in 
every good work and purpose in his community. 
He is interested in educational matters, and the 
especial encourager of young men who are seeking 
to perfect themselves in the i)rofessions. 

Dr. and Mrs. Downs occupy a pleasant home. 
Everything in and about it is indicative of culti- 
vated and refined tastes, and it forms one of the 
pleasant resorts for the educated and cultured 
people of Ft. Madison. Dr. Downs is a striking 
example of what perseverance will accomplish 
under great difliculties, and what a determined 
spirit may overcome in the face of opposition. 



yU.LlAM l)h 
Lee County 
^ „ is now pursi 



ILLIAM DKROSKAR, an early settler of 
ty and a veteran of three wars, 
suing the ])eaceful occupation of 
a farmer on section 29 in Cedar Township. He 
was born three miles from Lexington, Ky., Aug. 
12, 181.5, and is the son of I'eter Derosear, a native 
of Canada, as was also the grandfather, Joseph Dero- 
sear, and of French ancestry. The father of our 
subject came to the States when a young man, and 
engaged extensively in the buying and selling of 
horses in Kentucky. These he purchased in Can- 
ada and shipped to the States, meeting with success 
in his business transactions. He was married in 
Kentucky, and his wife, the mother of our subject, 
died soon afterward. He then returned to his na- 
tive Canada and settled in the parish of Lenora, 
District of Montreal, where he died. 

The subject of our sketch was but three years 
old when he was deprived of the affectionate care 
of his mother. He went to Canada with his father, 
remaining there until he was seventeen, when he 
^ started out to battle for himself, and going toward 

[ fln the southwest crossed the Mississippi into St. Louis. 
I ^B Ht' was without means, and availed himself of the 
^^^ first opi)ortnnity that afforded to obtain a liveli- 
hood; a hunting expedition was then being formed, 
and he became one of a party of eighty men to 
go up the Missouri River. While encami)e(l on a 





bvancli of the " Big Muddy" they were attackt-il 
by Indians, and thirty-three of their number killod : 
the remainder were pursued for some distance, 
barely escaping with their lives. They at once re- 
turned to St. Louis and applied to the Oovernment 
for troops with which to pursue their vengeful foe. 
A company was formed, and our subject returned 
with them to the scene of the massacre, where they 
engaged with their enemies and drove them across 
the river, after which they evinced no disposition 
to return. The wild life of the West was especially 
suited to the disposition of our young adventurer, 
and he subsequently crossed the Rocky Mountains, 
and in 183G visited California. lie only spent a 
few weeks there, however, and returning eastward 
became identified with the exploring expedition 
of Gen. Fremont through the (iolden State, in which 
he was engaged nine months, and in that time 
traveled over the greater portion of California. 
He left the command of Fi'emont.it Mexico Ridge, 
and returned to St Louis. 

During these wanderings, Mr. Derosear had 
traversed the soil of every Territory in the L'nited 
States, and penetrated into man3' places where the 
foot of the white man had never before been placed. 
He had many hairljreadth escapes from death by 
Indians and wild animals, and these experiences 
served to develop in him his natural qualities of 
courage and endurance. After his return to St. 
Louis he, in com pan j' with others, purchased tiat- 
boats, and by means of this transpoi'tatiun became 
extensively engaged in bringing wood into the 
city from twelve miles above. The spirit of ad- 
venture, however, was not easily quelled, and in 
1846, during the progress of the Mexican War, he 
enlisted as a soldier, in which he served seven 
months. Being satisfied with this experience, he 
obtained his discharge, and going to New Orleans 
engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi. He 
was thus occupied for three years following, and 
then began to feel that he would be glad to estab- 
lish himself in a permanent home. He accordingly 
came up the river into Iowa, and purchasing a 
tract of wild land in Lee County, settled upon it 
and remained until the breaking out of the late 
Civil War. He then enlisted .as a soldier of the 
Union in Co. C, 37th Iowa \'ol. Inf., with which 



p 

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1 

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1 
1 
1 

I 

I 
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iVj fjfiCTt j m i ni ■ |j J6fi[j5 J rrri 




f^ 



he served in the Department of the Southwest, 
doing garrison and picket duty, and continued 
with the array until the close of the war. He then 
returned to his farm, and has engaged in the peace- 
ful occupation of agriculture, in which he will 
l)robably be content to renuiiii until his earthly 
labors are ended. 

Mr. Derosear was married in 1^4."), to Miss fSarah 
Ann Bristow, an English lady, by whom he has be- 
come the father of fifteen children, thirteen of 
whom are living: Sarah, William, Jane and David, 
twins, John, Mary E.. Alice, Isaac, Clara, James, 
Zei)h3r, Charlotte and Albert B. C. ; those deceased 
are Isabel and Mary Jane. Mi-s. D. was born in 
London, April 8, 1828, the daughter of James 
and Jane (Arnold) Bristow, and was but an infant 
when her father died ; lier mother, afterward Mrs. 
W'illiam Bateman, came to America in about 184i3. 
They crossed the Mississippi, came into Lee Count}', 
and settled in Cedar Township, where her mother 
and step-father remained until the close of their 
lives. 

\¥|AMES CAMERON, a gentleman occupying 
an important position among the business 
and industrial interests of the Gate City, is 
an extensive dealer in wood and coal, fence 
posts and kindling wood, and a contractor for stone 
and tile work. His present business was established 
in 1880, and he has operated it successfully un- 
til the present time, with a generous and steadily 
increasing patronage. 

Mr. Cameron is a native of Canada, born on the 
loth of jMaj', 1840, and the son of Duncan and 
Bridget (Phillips) Cameron, natives of Scotland 
and Ireland respectively. They emigrated from 
their native countries in early 3'outh, and were mar- 
ried in 1838. Duncan Cameron lived only four 
years after his marriage, dying in 1842, two years 
after tiie birth of his son, the subject of our sketch. 
The mother remained in Canada until 184G, and 
then, with her second husband, removed to Detroit, 
Mich. This gentleman was James Nolan, and they 
were married in 1843. In 1848 they removed from 
Detroit to Keokuk, Iowa, and then to Clark County, 
Mo., where the mother died in 1871. Mr. Nolan 





survived her two years, dying in 1 873 in Keokuk. 
By her marriage with Mr. Cameron the mother of 
our sul)ject had three cliildren, one C)f whom died 
in infancy; his l)rother Hugh is now a resident of 
Montro.se, and in addition to farming pursuits, is p^ ^^ '}' 
emploj'ed as a section boss on the Burlington & 
Southwestern Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Nolan became 
the parents of three children, of whom only two 
are living: Marj' A., who became the wife of Mr. 
Hammond, of Macomb, 111., and whose husband 
died in 1880, leaving her with two children — Fan- 
nie and J. Kay; Mrs. H. is now residing in Keokuk, 
and is book-keeper for her lirother. Rose, now 
Mrs. Rodgerson, of Moline, who has two sons — 
Frank and Wallace. 

The subject of our sketch received a limited edu- 
cation in the private schools at Keokuk, which he 
;itten<led until he was sixteen j^ears old. He was 
then alternately engaged in a hotel and in the 
cabins of steamboats until the spi'ing of 1859, 
when he determined to seek his fortunes among the 
gold mines of California. In company with others, 
he crossed the plains with an ox-team, carrying a 
nuning outfit, the journey occupying six months. 
He remained there five }'ears, and returned home 
on horseback in 1864, this trip occupying three 
months. While in the mines he employed five or 
six men, and succeeded in accumulating a valu- 
able sack of the yellow ore. 

After returning from California, Mr. Cameron 
purchased 160 acres of improved land in Clark 
County, Mo., and was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits and stock-raising for the following three 
years. He then sold out and went into the Indian 
Territory for the purpose of assisting Agent Rich- 
ardson in establishing an agency on the AVashita 
River. This accomplished, he returned to Keokuk, 
and was engaged in the quarry and pork house of '^ 
Messrs. Patterson & Timberman for five years. 
He remained with this firm until 1880, and then 
established himself in business on the corner of 
Seventh and Blondeau streets, which site was after- 
ward sold to the Government for the erection of a 
court-house and post-office. Mr. Cameron then 
purchased ground at the corner of Seventh and 
Johnston streets, taking three lots, and erecting up- 
on the same a building 55x24 feet in dimensions, 



liiii 







ft&i^i: 



•LLXXXXXXX3X3f 




■27 s 



LEE COUNTY. 



PH 



fireproof, and where he now has his f)ffiee and coal- 



out his lifetime. After leaving Indiana he spent; 1} 
y:inl. lie cm|)loy,s five teamsters :iii(l ten other ^ino year in Warren C'cnmtv. 111., and after crossinga|;i 

: a 
26, Harrison Townsliii). I'pon this tract of land l>e^ ] 



men for miscellaneous work. 

Mr. Cameron was married in l.s72 to Miss Mary 
Feoney, a lady born in Kentucky but reared in 
Iowa, and the dauglitcr of Marcus Feeuey, Esq. 
Tlieir household includes four ciiildren — William 
W., (Jeorge, James and .bihn. The family resi- 
dence is replete with all the comforts of life, and 
tliey are surrounded by a large circle of friends 
and acquaintances. Mr. Cameron occupies a prom- 
inent position among the business men of his 
community and enjoys the confidence of his fel- 
hiw-cilizcns. He was Street Supervisor in 188,3, 
ami has been honored wilii other important posi- 
tions in the city. He is a stockiiolder in the 
cutlery works and also in tiie Loan and Building- 
Association. Politically he afliliates with the 
Democratic party, ami is an honored member of 
the I. (). (). F. 



'■ ]()HX McGUIOKR, an honored pioneer of Lee 
County, crossed tiie F'ather of Waters with 
his parents in the spring of 18;i7, wlien he 
was a child of six years old, and since that 
time has been a resident of this locality. The pres- 
ent proud commonwealth of Iowa was then a wild 
Territory, and it was eleven years before its admis- 
sion into the I'nion as a State. In the long 3'ears 
whicli liave elapsed since that time Mr. McGreer 
lias noted witii deep interest the remarkable changes 
wliich liave transpired, and has materially aided in 
the development of this section. 

The subject of this history was born in F'ayette 
County, Ind., Feb. l.'i, 18.31, his parents being Al- 
e.Kaudcr an<l .Jane (Livingston) McGreer, natives 
respectively of Soulli and North Carolina. Alex- 
ander McGreer removed from his native State to 
Indiana when he was a youth of eighteen years, and 
was there married to llie maiden of his choice, who 
remained iiis f;iitiiful companion until March 17, 
!«;")."), when she departed this life in Lee County, 
Iowa, lie survived her twenty years, and died on 
the 1st of Marcli, 187."). lie was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and continued ids chosen pursuit through- 



the Mississippi took u|) a cl;iim on sections 2,j and S 



w 



)arental houseliold consisted ofE J 
.Martiia l)ecame the wifefe } 



established a liome, whicli now remains mi possessions L[ 
of his son. Tlie 
tiie following children: 

of Amos Hinkel (whose biograi)liy appears in thisgj 
work), and departed this life in 184!); IClizabethS iji 
married .lohn .lulmson; (ieorge married Miss: [H 
Louisa Wileoxen; .lohn. our subject, was the fourth: ^; 
in order of birth; Nancy II. l)ecame tiie wife of: ^j' 
N. Harlan, and Jane married R. Micks, who died in: '■ 
the army;' she was subsequently married to Mr. Mc-E / 
Neill; Maria was liorn in Iowa, and married Jabe/.: i 
Ruby, of Xnn Buren County. : ,- 

.lohn McGreer was married on tlie 2.otli ofE r 
March, 1858, to Miss Julia A. Hill, of Wayne: n; 
County, Ind., born Oct. 18, ls33. Mrs. McGreer: {; 
was the daughter of William and Zilpah (Hollowell): -i] 
Hill, natives respectively of Ohio and North Caro-;:^ 
lina. William Hill was born Oct. b, 1804, and de-?:l| 
parted this life on the 1st of February, 1.S71, inj Ij 
Lee County. He crossed the Mississii)pi while: i 
Iowa was yet a Territory', in the fall of 1843, and: 
located in Harrison Township, where he carried on: 
the business of a farmer and merchant. Mrs. Zil 
pah Hill was born March 20, 1807; she still sur-C -m 
vives, and has never remarried. Tiieir family con-E fu 
sisted of six children, two of whom are deceased :Eij 
Susan P. became the wife of Benjamin Cook; Mrs.: h, 
McGreer was the second child; Patience died atE n 
the age of three years; Edward was a soldier in: h 
the late war, and died at Chattanooga, Teiin., and: 
Fjlizabeth became the wife of Jesse McMillan. g 

Mr. and Mrs. Jolin McGreer are the parents f)fS [i 
two children — Anna J., born Jan. 14, 1859, andHji 
Mary L., Sept. 22, 18C2. They were educated at: in. 
the school at Primrose in this county. The familj-S i 
liomestead consists of 340 acres of valuable land, 
and beside the ordinary duties of the farm Mr.E "^ 
Mcfireer is engaged in the breeding of horses, cat 
tie and hogs. The farm dwelling is a tine two-p; 
story structure, and the barn, erected in 1884, is a 
model of convenience for the piiri)oses to which itt > 
is a<lapted. It occupies an area of 48.\7G feet, am" 
is designed in the latest improved style. Mr. Mc 



C I, 

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: Greer has a valuable assortment of farm machinerj' 
: and all the implements necessary' for the carr3'iug 
on of agriculture after the most improved methods. 
- The family are regular attendants of the Presbj'- 
: terian Church, and in politics Mr. McGreer is in- 
dependent, aiming to cast his vote for the best 
; men. He takes an active interest in all matters 
; pertaining to the welfare of his community, and is 
: fully entitled to be classed as an honest man and a 
: good citizen. 

OL. GP:0KG E W. CROSLE Y, Warden of the 
Iowa State Penitentiary at Ft. Madison, is 
a native of Ohio, having been born in 
Huron C'ount3-, March 4, 1831). His father, George 
H. Crosley, was born in Lehigh County, Pa., in the 
j-ear 1800, but when a child of two years of age, 
the family removed to Franklin County, Ohio, 
where he grew to manhood and became a dealer in 
horses, purchasing in Ohio and selling in Washing- 
ton, D. C. It was upon one of those trips that he 
made the acquaintance of Miss Lucy Fry, of Wash- 
ington Couutj', Pa., who became his wife Jul}^ 18, 
1826. In the meantime he had also been a mail- 
carrier during the progress of the War of 1812. 
After his marriage he carried on an extensive 
business as contractor and liuildcr, and superin- 
tended the erection of manj' im|)t)rtant public 
buildings in Ohio. 

(jcorge II. Crosley, in 184o, turned his face 
westward and journeyed to the prairies of Illiuois, 
making his first location in Kendall County, where 
he engaged in farming pursuits until 1 8.">(i. He then 
crossed the Mississippi, came into the Hawkeye State, 
and locate<l in Washington, Washington Count}-. 
One year later he purchased 240 acres of land in 
Story County, which he improved and cultivated, 
and which now constitutes the site of the citj- of 
Ames. Jlr. Crosley had returned tu Washington, 
D. C., in 1862, and about that time occurred the 
decease of the faithful wife and mother. The 
household circle had been brightened by the birth 
of seven children, all living at tlie time of their 
mother's death, but two are since deceased. In due 
time Mr. Crosley contracted a second marriage, the 



second wife dying in 1869, since which time he has 
resided with his children, and although now in the 
eight}- -seventh year of his age, is still hale and 
heart}- and appears many years younger. 

George W. Crosley was the youngest child of his 
parents' family. He received his rudimentary edu- 
cation in the common schools and studied one 
year at an academy. At the age of seventeen j-ear.s 
he became clerk in a drug-store, remaining thus 
occupied until the spring of 1857, when he came to 
Iowa and joined the family at Washington. He 
assisted his father in opening up the farm in Story 
County, which then adjoined the tract since occu- 
pied by the [owa State AgTicultural College and 
Farm, at Ames. His farm life, however, did not 
continue very long, as in the course of two years 
Mr. C. sold his farm and the family removed 
to Nevada, the county seat of Story County, where 
the father engaged in the hotel business and his 
son, George W., returned to Washington County, 
becoming clerk in the general store of his brother. 
Some years after Mi-. Crosley sold the farm it 
became the site of the city of Ames. 

In April, 1861, when the news of the attack on 
Fort Sumter reached Washington, the patriotism of 
}-oung Crosley was aroused to such a pitch that he 
immediately quit the store, and on the following 
day he w-as on his way to Story County, where he 
assisted in raising a company of soldiers. He 
enlisted as a private, but upon being mustered into 
service he was tendered the rank of First Sergeant 
of Co. E, 3d Iowa Vol. Inf., and June 26, 1861, 
was elected First Lieutenant, which rank he held 
until March 8, 1863, when he was promoted to that 
of Major. After serving three years, the term of 
enlistment, he entered the First N'eteran Corps, 
under the command of (ieu. Hancock, and here 
also was given the rank of Majoi-, being the only 
commissioned field officer from the State of Iowa 
in that corps. Maj. Crosley resigned his com- 
mission May 11, 1865, but was subsequently 
breveted Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel for meri- 
torious services on the field of battle. During his 
career as a soldier he participated in sixteen gen- 
eral engagements, including the sieges of Vieks- 
burg and Corinth. At the battle of Shiioh, at the 
close of the first day's fight, out of the twenty-six 





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officers who went into the field but six remained, 
and Lieut. Crosley found himself the ranking officer, 
and as such assumed comnian<l during the remain- 
der of the battle. On the 12th of July, 1803, he 
was struck by a piece of shell in the right gioin. 
The wound at first was supposed to be a slight one, 
but it proved to be of such a nature as to disable 
him for life. 

Upon leaving the service Col. Crosley proceeded 
to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., to join his wife, 
whom he had married there in 1864, while on a 
veteran furlough. She was formerly ]\Iiss Edna 
M. Risdon, and was born in said county in 1837. 
The following September, isef), Col. Crosley de- 
cided to establish for himself and family a home 
beyond the Mississippi. He accordingly crossed 
the Father of Waters, and came into the Hawkeye 
State, making his first location in AVebster City, 
where he engaged in a general mercantile business. 
After a residence of four years he was appointed 
Postmaster, and in 1870 closed out his business, 
although continuing to serve as Postmaster until 
February, 1872. He then engaged as a traveling 
salesman, representing the firms of O. H. Peckham 
<fe Co., Dozier, Weil & Co., and John S. Dunham, of 
St. Louis. His dealings were mostly with jobbers 
in large cities, for which he received a lucrative 
salary'. Col. Crosley considered the societ}' of his 
wife and children of more account than dollars and 
cents, and so gave up his position and engaged in 
the drug business at Webster Cit3'. He had always 
enjf)yed the confidence and esteem of his fellow- 
citizens, and in 1 879 was elected Sheriff of Hamil- 
ton Count}'. He was re-elected to this office in 
1881, and was tendered the nomination the third 
time by acclamation, but declined to become a 
candidate. 

The General Assembly of the State of Iowa on 
joint ballot elected Col. Crosley to his present 
responsible position, and he assumed the duties 
of his office April 1, 1.S84, being the successor of 
K. C. McMillin. At the close of his first term. 
Col. C'roslej' was re-elected without opposition, 
gSI and has proved himself peculiarly fitted for the 
difficult ,nnd often dangerous position of Peni- 
y tentiary Warden. 

Thus we have a brief outline of the life and 



services of one of Iowa's most worthy citizens, 
and one who has proven himself well fitted for 
the responsible duties which have devolved upon 
liim. As a soldier he was always to be found 
in the thickest of the fight, and proved himself 
a highly efficient officer. As a citizen he has 
been lo3'al and patriotic, and as a husband and 
father, kind, indulgent and affectionate. The only 
secret society with which he has been connected is 
the (i. A. R. In 1881, while attending the Repub- 
lican State Convention, he met twelve of the sur- 
viving members of the 3d Reg., Iowa \'o\. Inf., 
who, like himself, were there as delegates from 
their respective counties. They organized a Regi- 
mental Society, of which Col. Crosley was chosen 
Secretary and Treasurer, and served as such until 
August, 1885, since which time he has been its 
Vice-President. The society meets biennially, and 
the members thereof experience such pleasure in 
these re- unions as can only be appreciated by old 
soldiers in recalling the hardships ,as well as the 
more pleasant features of the service. 

Col. and Mrs. Crosley have become the parents 
of four children, one of whom is deceased, Cliarles 
C, who died in the tenth year of his .age. The 
three living are George R., Lottie E. and \'arick 
C. In i)olitics Col. Croslej' has alw.ajs been a 
stanch Republican. It is with pleasure that the 
publishers of this work present the portrait of Col. 
Crosley, as being that of an honored and worthy 
citizen. 



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^^AVT. CHARLES P. GILLESPIE, of the 
|l( ^ steamer "Colonel Patterson," is an esteemed 
^^iJ/J resident of the Gate City, and a property- 
holder within its limits. He came to this city when 
it was a village of humble proportions, and has 
been an interested witness of the many changes and 
improvements which have taken place during the 
last quarter of a century. Capt. Gillespie is a na- 
tive of Mrginia, and was born Dec. 22, 1812, his 
parents being John and Sarepta (Medsker) Gilles- 
pie, natives of the same State. The father was a 
blacksmith by trade, and came to Keokuk in 1848, 
where he successfuUj' pursued his occupation and 
resided until his death, which occurred in KS')!!. 



.^llf^f^tt,: 






■ IIIJIUH 



, UrrmrxT, -. 







LEE COUNTY. 




He was a man of decided views, and a stanch ad- 
iierent of the Democratic party. His wife survived 
him fifteen j-ears, dying in 1871. 

The parental household of our subject included 
ten children, four of whom are deceased. The liv- 
ing are Henrjr C., Albert, and Capt. Charles P., of 
Keokuk ; Frances, Mrs. Tahuan, lives in Areola, 
Monona Co., Iowa; Maria, Mrs. Hughell, is in 
Sparta, Tenn. ; Rachel, Mrs. McCarty, resides in 
Keokuk. 

The 3'ounger daj's of Capt. Gillespie were spent 
in Keokuk, mostly in attendance at the common 
schools. At the age of seventeen he became pilot 
on the ferry-boats of the Mississippi, and seven 
years later, as Captain, made the run from Vicks- 
burg to the source of the Mississijipi. He has been 
continuously connected with river boats from the 
first, and was pilot over the rapids at Keokuk for a 
number of years. He also superintended the build- 
ing of barges, flatboats, and the steamer of which 
he is now the Captain. He is a popular man along 
the river, and is highl3- esteemed likewise on terra 
firma, at his home in Keokuk. 

Capt. Gillespie was married in 186;"), to Miss An- 
nie, daughter of Jacob Breitenstine, of Keokuk, 
and of this marriage there was born one child, a 
daughter, Elice. Mrs. Annie Gillespie died in 1874. 
Capt. G. was the second time married, in 1880, 
when Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Martin Berg, be- 
came his wife. He has a handsome residence at 
the corner of Third and Orleans streets, and is ful- 
filling to the best of his ability the obligations of a 
good citizen. 



-i^- 




NDREW J ACOBSON, general farmer and 
stock-raiser, occupying a comfortable home- 
stead on section 27, has been a resident 
[^ of the Hawkeye State since 186"2. On 

coming into the State he loc.lted in Des Moines 
Township, but subsequently purchased his present 
farm, which consists of 177 acres, the most of it 
under good cultivation. He occupies a good farm 
residence, has iexcellent barns and out-buildings, 
and is surrounded by all the comforts and many of 
the luxuries of life. 



ii 



Mr. Jaeobson is a native of a far-off country, K 
having been born near the borders of the North i ', _ 
Sea in the Kingdom of Norway, Jan. 29, 1842. His 
father, .Jacob Jaeobson, a native of the same coun- 
try, was a sea captain, and his mother, Karen Dan- 
ielson, was also a native of the same country, her i 
birthplace being near that of her husband, and they 
both were there reared to years of maturity. The 
father departed this life in 1868; the mother yet 
survives, and is living in her native countrj-. 

Andrew Jaeobson was the third of a famil}' of 
six children, of whom four emigrated to the United 
States, and two still remain in their native Norway. 
Our subject was only fourteen years of age when 
he went to sea, and followed the fortunes of a sailor 
for seven years following. He then, in 1862, emi- 
grated to the United States, and made his first lo- 
cation in La Salle County, 111. He commenced work 
as a farm laborer, and since that time has followed 
agricultural pursuits, with the exception of one year 
which he spent in Chicago working upon the 
famous crib, which now supplies the city with water. 
He was one of the five men who were aboard the 
crib when it was launched from the shore, and was 
engaged upon it for nine months. It was forty- 
two feet high, and when it was launched it required 
men of nerve to remain upon the top of it, and of 
these Mr. Jaeobson was the leader, by request of 
the Superintendent of the works. He soon after- 
ward left Chicago and came West, and engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. 

Our subject was married in Lee Countj', in the 
village of Montrose, Feb. 24, 1866, to Miss Anna 
Munson, who was born Jan. 26, 1842, and was 
reared and educated in Des Moines Township. Her 
parents were of Norweigan birth, who emigrated to 
the United States after their marriage. Thej- came 
into Iowa and were early settlers of Lee County. 
Both departed this life in Des Moines Township, 
greatly respected bj' all who knew them, and leav- 
ing behind them records of worthy lives and kindly 
deeds. 

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jaeobson have become the 
parents of twelve children, eiglit living, as follows: 
Caroline, Jacob, Lewis, Malinda, Elwood, Benja- 
min, Andrew and Noletta. The deceased were 
Taminia, Caroline, and two infants unnamed. Mr. 



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284 



LEE COUNTY. 



and Mi-s. Jacobson are connected with the Society 
of PVit-nds, and in politics Mr. .1. is strongly Re- 
publican. He is highly esteemed in bis community, 
and has been honororl with various local ollices of 
his townshi|>. 

70IIN KIN(;, a well-to-do and prosperous 
farmer residing on section 23, Cedar Town- 
ship, was born three miles south of Wlieel- 
^^ ing, \V. \:i., Feb. II, 1 .s:5G. His f.ather, 
.b)hn King, was a native of (iernnuiy, and his grand- 
f.-ither, also named John, was a native of the same 
country, where he was reared to manhood and be- 
came a Benedict. The latter came to America 
with his wife iind three children about 1800, and 
settled in Westmoreland County, Pa., on a farm, 
and there lived until his death. Of their eleven 
children born in that State, ten grew to attain the 
age of maturity and to become the heads of fam- 
ilies. The father of our subject was reared to man- 
hood in Pennsylvania, .and subsequently settling 
near Wheeling, W. Va., there rented and cultivat- 
ed a tract of land, meeting with partial success. In 
\x:iH he returned to Westmoreland County, and 
renting m f:iiiii, was occupied in agricultural pur- 
suits until his death, which took place two years 
later, in 1841). The maiden name of our subject's 
mother was Rachel Cramer, and her demise oc- 
curred five months previous to that of her husband. 
She left eight children to mourn their loss. 

The subject of this notice was four years old 
when his parents died, and being orphaned at that 
early age, he was bound out to a farmer of West- 
moreland Country. James Hayes by name, and was 
exceedingly fortunate in obtaining n home with that 
geutleuian. for he remembers him as one just in his 
^ dealings .and possessing a kind heart. In 1843 Mv. 
King came to this county with his adopted father, 
who located in Franklin Township. Thei-e our sub- 
ject grcu to manhood on a faiiii :ni(l in llie home 
of .Mr. Hayes. He continued to live with him until 

D his death, when he tooic charge of the farm for 
Mrs. H.ayes, .and successfully coMducted it until he 

3 was twenty-four years old. 

At that age in life Mr. King joined the army of 



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Benedicts, and settled in Knox County, Mo., where ||ji 
he cultivated rented land for four years. After 
that he returned to I^ee Coimty. and was a ai; 
renter for two years in Cedar Township, and then H' 
bought the place he now owns. It was but little 
improved at the time he bought it, and he now has H; 
all the land under an advanced state of cultivation ai 
and good buildings on the i)lace, together with %. 
fruit and shade trees. His marriage took place in at 
18.5i), and the lady chosen as his life companion h 



was Miss Eliza J. Cade. She was born in Ohio in 



1843, and has borne our subject ten children — Julia ; 
A., Minerva E., Adelia V., John R., James K., 3. 
Charles W., Horace M., Jesse L., Daisy J. and a! 
Daniel (!. In politics Mr. King is a Democrat. 2 



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USTON R. McCABF], a prominent farmer 
of West Point Township, occupies a valua- 
ble homestead on section 1, and is success- 
fully engaged in agriculture and stock - 
growing. He is in possession of the old homestead, 
which was established by his father, Author Mc- 
Cabe, in 1843. The latter crossed the Mississippi 
while Iowa, was j'et a Territory, and improved a 
farm from the wilderness. This tr.act of land is 
now one of the most valuable in Lee County, and j 
invariably attracts the eye of the traveler through 
this section. Here the subject of our sketch was 
born, Jan. 8, 18.54, and reared to manhood, and it 
has remained his home continuously since he first 
opened his eyes to the light of day. 

Autiior McCabe, the father of ftur subject, was 
born and reared in Sussex County, Del., and at the 
age of nineteen years set out on foot with his 
cousin, Josiah C'ampbell, for Oiiio. He located in B 
Preble County, and was there married a year later h 
to .Miss Lydia Crist, who remained his com|)aniou : 
tV)r oidy one year. He afterward married her ' 
younger sister Susanna, and they became the p.n-- 
ents of eleven children, one of whom died at the : 
.age of nine nionths, and the otheie grew to years of : 
maturity. 

Huston R. McC.abe was the youngest of seven r 
sons. His mother is yet living, in Washington : 






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r^SHHHS F r^' r^'r^.^^ 




T(>wn.ship, Lee County, with her (laughter, Mrs. 
Elhi llazen, at the age of about sixty -eight years. 
Mr. McCabe was married in Washington Township, 
Jan. 23. 1878, to Miss Carrie Mills, a native of the 
same township, born Nov. 8, 1 8G0. She was reared 
and educated in Washington Township, and by her 
nuirriage with our subject has become the mother 
of two children — Eddie E. (deceased) and Willie R. 
Since his marriage Mr. McCabe has operated the 
homestead, of which he now owns two shares. He 
also owns lOo acres of improved land in another 
pait of this township. He and his wife are consist- 
ent members of the Blethodist Episcop.al Church, of 
which he is Trustee and .Steward. In politics he is 
a solid Republican, and is fulfilling all the obliga- 
tions of a good citizen. 




-^ ^-^^ — 

R. H. T. CLEAVER, a prominent and pop- 
ular member of the medical profession of 
the Hawkeye State, and a resident of Keo- 
kuk, is a native of Centerville, Washing- 
ton Co., Pa., where he was born Eeb. 17, 1822. 
He is the son of John and Annie (Vale) Cleaver, 
natives of York County, Pa., who before their mar- 
riage, removed to AVashington County, and that 
same 3'ear, 1814, united their fortunes for life. 
John Cleaver was an industrious and energetic 
man, and after his marriage became interested in 
various departments of business, and while carry- 
ing on a farm, was also engaged as a tanner and in 
manufacturing boots and shoes. He also became 
extensivelj' engaged as a drover and cattle dealer, 
buying in the West and disposing of his stock in 
the Eastern markets. He became a prominent man 
in his locality, and took an active and intelligent 
interest in public matters. He identified hiuist^lf 
with the Whig party, was a strong Abolitionist, and 
he and his wife both belonge,d to the Society' of 
Friends. He retired from active business a num- 
ber of years before his death, making his home in 
Centerville, Pa., and folded his hands for his final 
rest in 18C(i. The wife and mother survived him 
eight years, dj'ing in 1874. 

The grandfather and great-grandfatiu'r of our 
subject, both named Peter, were natives of Penn- 



sylvania, and descended from ancestry who came 
from the north of England to this country in about 
1718. The grandfather's family consisted of nine 
children, all of whom except himself lived to be 
over seventy-five years of age ; he died at seventy- 
two. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Cleaver at- 
tained to the advanced age of ninety years, and the 
last living brother of his mother, Eli A'ale, lived to 
be ninety-one years old. He was a resident of 
Clarkson, Columbiana Co., Ohio. The parents of 
our subject had a family of ten children, five of 
whom are now living: Amos G., now seventy-one 
years old, is a resident of Centerville, Washington 
Co., Pa. ; Dr. H. T. of our sketch, is the second son 
now living, and is past sixty-four years old ; Han- 
nah B., Mrs. Richardson, of Columbiana Count}', 
Ohio, is sixty-two; Seth B., a resident of Richland, 
Keokuk Co., Iowa, is fifty-six; John I., of Belle- 
ville, Washington Co., Pa., is forty-six. There was 
a grand reunion of the family in Ohio in 1885. at 
which were gathered the representatives of three 
generations, and the occasion was a memorable one 
in the history of that viciuit}-. 

The younger years of Dr. Cleaver of our sketch, 
were spent on the farm and in the tanyard and in 
attendance every alternate week in the winter at 
school. He and his three older brothers were de- 
pended upon to thresh the grain, which thej' ac- 
complished b}- riding the horses who tramped it 
out. This emplo}'ed two one week, and the other 
two the following week, the time being evenly di- 
vided for each between the threshing and the 
school. At the age of fifteen years our subject left 
home to attend school at New Lisbon, Columbiana 
Count}', which was under the auspices of the So- 
ciety of Friends. He graduated from this institu- 
tion in 1841, his tutor in Latin and Greek having 
been the famous Clement C. Vallandigham, who be- 
came so prominent in the political history of that 
section during the late war. After he graduated, 
young Cleaver remained in New Lisbon, and en- 
tered upon the study of medicine, under the in- 
struction of Dr. T. Green, with whom he remained 
for the following three years. He then became 
associated in partnership with his preceptor, and 
practiced with him until 184(1, when Dr. Green re- 
moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., after which Dr. Cleaver 




Bl 





continued his practice alone in the same locality 
until l.st!S. He tiien sold out and resolved to seek 
his fortune beyond the Mississippi. He accord- 
in;,dy c:iine into Iowa, located at Wapello, Louisa 
County, and practiced tliere until 18G2. 

liic Doctor's abilities as a practitioner, and his 
value as a citizen were at once recognized by the 
residents of this section, and he soon became a 
leader in local and general politics. After fdling 
other important positions lie whs elected a member 
of tiie State Senate, serving from 1854 to 1858, 
\vi(h great credit to himself and satisfaction to all 
concerned. After his retirement from this office 
he came to Keokuk, and in 18G2 took chargo of the 
Estis House Government Hospitid. Tliis was dur- 
ing the progress of the late war, and he was ap- 
pointed Surgeon in the hospital until the close of 
the courtict. I ' u(h'r liis supervision were eight or 
ten assistant surgeons, and liis management of the 
s was conducted with marked alillit}' 



::-[l 



— ^ hosi)ital affairs 
H and success. 



At the same time (1 802) Dr. Cleaver accepted 
the Chair in tlie College of I'hysicians & Surgeons, 
as Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women. 
} W In 18G5 he was elected Vice-President of the col- 
li^ lege and held that position until 1881, when he was 
elected Dean of the Faculty. About liiis time he 
als(j served as City Treasurer. He has held a high 
l)osition in the medical profession of this locality 
since his coming here, was President of the Iowa 
^ State Medical Societ}' from 18G1 to 18C3, and 
afterward in 1872. In 1878 he was one of the five 
delegates sent from the Medical Association to the 
British and Foreign Medical Association at Bath, 
England. His brother delegates were Dr. Marion 
Sims, of New York; Prof. Pancost, of Philadelphia; 
Prof. Angear, of Chicago, and Dr. Daily, of Pitts- 
burgh. They spent five months in England and 
N__N_on tiie continent, visiting the medical institutions 



Cleaver is quite extensively interested in the vari- 
ous enterprises which have sprung up in the (Jato 
City, and have rendered her one of the most im- 
portant towns on the Mississippi River. He is a 
stockholder in the Keokuk National Bank, the 
Water Works, the Building and Loan and the Li- 
brary Associations, and to every enteri)rise whicli 
iias had for its object the growth and <levelopnu'nt 
of the resources of this section, Dr. Cleaver h;i> 
been a warm and generous supporter. 

In early manhood Dr. Cleaver was married and 
became tiie father of five children. His present 
wife, to whom he was married in Jul}'. 18(j8, was 
Miss Clarissa Bracken, a native of Brownville, Fay- 
ette Co., Pa. Of his children the record is as fol- 
lows: Laura, Mrs. Lauder, of Muscatine, Iowa, has 
one child — Frank; Mvn. Dr. Scroggs, of Keokuk, 
has two sons — Cleaver and Joseph; Mary G., Jlrs. 
Ilain, is a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; another 
daughter, Mrs. C. S. Whitney', of (Jmaha, Neb., has 
one child — Adelaide; H. T. Cleaver, Jr., a gradu- 
ate of LaGrange College, Missouri, is now con- 
nected witii the Keokuk Candy and Cracker Fac- 
tory. 

Dr. Cleaver is Republican in politics, and has 
been connected with this party since its organiza- 
tion. He and his wife are members in good stand- 
ing of the First Baptist Church, and their hand- 
some residence at No. 227 North Fifth street is 
the resort of a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances, comprising the most finely cultivated people 
of the Gate City. 




of Scotland, tJerman}-, Holland, Belgium, Prussia, 

tiirougli Switzerland, over the Aljjs into Savoy and 

."down to the city of Geneva, during which time 

they gained a fund of valuable information which 

|i; g^< q has proved of great benefit to the profession in this 

1 country. Dr. C. is now serving his fourth term 

I as Piesident of tiie Keokuk City Medical Society. 



Aside from 




duties of his i»rofession. Dr. 



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l^ft ANLIUS 8. CHAMBERLAIN, City As 
/// iW *^*®*^'' of f"^- Madis(ju, is a native of Gene- 
I IS see County, N. Y., born in Attica Sept. 29, 
* 182.'). His father, Joseiih Chamberlain, 

was a native of Massachusetts, and his grandfather, 
John Chamlieriain, a native of the same State, spent 
hi entire life and ceased his earthly labors within 
the cipufines of tlie Bay State. Jose|)h Chamber- 
lain, the father of our subject, in early life learned 
the trade of a brick and stone mason. From a his- 
tory of the town of Steuben, N. Y., we learn that 



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5 i/^Hr-rlVKI ' 




LEE COUNTY. 



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the father of our subject was the first settler in the 
town of Coliocton, Steuben County, and that his 
(laugliter. Calista, was tlie first child liorn in the 
township of Cohoeton. He entered a tract of wild 
land and erected the first cabin in the township 
of Cohoeton. He cleared a farm and remained 
tliere a few years, then removed to Genesee County, 
and kept liotel in the town of Bethany until lisScS. 
He then went to Chautauqua Countj% and engaged 
in the same business at Leona, and from there re- 
turned to Genesee County, purchased a farm in the 
township of Bethany, and engaged in farming for 
a few years, thence removed to Michigan and set- 
tled in Genesee County, purchasing an improved 
farm, upon which he remained until his death, 
which occurred in 1854. 

The mother of our subject,* before her marriage, 
was Miss Orpha Shepard, of Massachusetts, and by 
her union with Joseph Chamberlain she became the 
mother of seven children, of whom Manlius 8. was 
the sixth in order of birth. He was reared to 
habits of industr}', and as soon as old enough as- 
sisted in the lighter labors of the farm and attend- 
ed the district schools. He remained with his par- 
ents until his marriage, then purchased a farm in 
Genesee County, Mich., wheie he remained until 
1 85.S, and then, changing his occupation, went to Ft. 
Madison, and was employed as a clerk in the mer- 
cantile establishment of E. G. ^^'ilson, with whom 
he remained for ten years, and then set u]i in busi- 
ness for himself. He carried on mercantile pur- 
suits for eight j'ears, and since then has been var- 
iously employed, and represents six different com- 
panies as insurance agent. 

AVherever he has been the natural genius and 
talents of JMr. Chamberlain have won for him the 
highest approval, and he has uniformly been ten- 
dered positions of trust and responsibilitj'. He has 
served as Justice of the Peace and City Clerk, and 
has held his present position as City Assessor for 
the p.ast five ^-ears. He possesses detective quali- 
ties of a high order, and was detailed upon deli- 
cate and important business connected witli the 
Graser murder case, discovered the murderer, and 
received the proffered award of #200 from the 
Governor of Iowa and $.'500 from the brother of 
the murdered man. The murderer is now serving 



a life sentence in the State Penitentiary at Ft. 
Madison. 

Manlius S. Chamberlain and Miss Harriet Ball 
were united in marriage in November, 1848. Mrs. 
C. is a native of New York, and was born Aug. 28, 
1828. There are four children living, viz: Au- 
gusta, the wife of Bayard T. Wise, of Ft. Madison; 
Edwin M., Jay and Carrie. The3' occupy a pleas- 
ant home on Fifth street, and are surrounded by 
hosts of friends and well-wishers. 



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\fp^ LISHA B. KELLOGG is a carpenter and 
mer combined, and occupies a comfort- 
le homestead in Van Buren Township, 
this county, where he is engaged partly in agricult- 
ural pursuits and follows the carpenter's trade at 
his convenience. Mr. Kellogg is a native of the 
Empire State, born in the town of Austerlitz, Co- 
lumbia County, May 24, 1818, and is the son of 
Elisha and Olive (Mallory) Kellogg, natives of 
New York and Connecticut respectively. Elisha 
Kellogg was born Aug. 4, 1779, and departed this 
life in 18C6, at the advanced age of eighty-eight 
years. The wife of his youth did not long remain 
his companion, but yielded up her life in 1824. 
He was married the second time to Eunice Dewey, 
who died in 1855. Of the first marriage of Elisha 
Kellogg, Sr., there were born eight children, namely : 
Dennis, James D., Olive, Benjamin, Elisha B.,Lucy 
A., Eliakim M. and Harriett. 

The subject of our sketch was married Jan. 21, 
1851, to Miss Berenice C. Underwood. She is the 
daughter of Arch and Rhoda (Chapin) Under- 
wood, natives of Massachusetts, and was born in 
1821. Her father died in 1851, and the mother in 
18G0, leaving a faniilj' of eight children — I'aul 
Chapin, Phylinda, Almeda, Mercy, Henry W., 
Berenice C, James and John. Mr. and Mrs. 
Elisha B. Kellogg have become the parents of three 
children : Berenice E. is the wife of Henry Richey ; 
Mary A. died at tiie age of three years; and 
Charles B. M. died in 18G4, at the age of two and 
one-half years. 

Mr. and Mrs. K. occupy a comfortable residence, 
surrounded by all the couiforts <>f life. They eu- 



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•288 



LEE COUNTY. 



Ip^ JV is a iiienilicr of 

Im my^ hee County, an 




joj' the friendship f)f a large circle of acquaintances, 
.mil swc nicnil)crs in good standing of the Pres- 
hvterian Churcii. Soon after coining here, in April. 
IHoH, tiic good (iiialities of Mr. Kellogg received 
ample recognition, and lie became one of the 
leaders of his community. lie lias held the various 
town.ship o(flces, having lieeu Clerk for a number 
if yeai-s, and Director and Secretary of the School 
Hoard. Toliticaliy he atliliates with the Kei)ublican 
party, and uniformly casts his vote in support of 
its principles. 

<5— :k- ► >9 <-^ -:=:—€► 

:pX liO''"- -'^'ll^' A- ^^ll'i'H. of Ft. Madison, 
tlic educational element of 
md has attained to eminence 
\ in his profession. He is a native of the 
Kingdom of IJavaria, and was born Sept. '■), 18-20. 
lie was educated for a teacher in his native land, 
and before emigrating to the I'nited States had en- 
tered the Normal College and was receiving the 
most careful instruction from eminent and experi- 
enced tutors. On account of failing health, how- 
ever, his physician advised him to abandon his 
studies and go to America, which advice he con- 
cluded to follow, and after a prosperous voj-age 
landed at New Orleans, Dec. 22, 1 S4(;. He at once 
proceeded to Scioto County, Ohio, wiicre he had 
relatives living. In the fall of 1847 he commenced 
teaching in Pike County, having under his instruc- 
tion classes in (Jerman and music, and was thus oc- 
cupied f(n' a period of six years, when he came to 
Iowa, making his first location at Keokuk. Here 
he engaged as clerk and book-kcejjer of a hotel for 
two j'cars, having also the principal management of 
the house. He .afterward came to Ft. Madison, 
and received the appointment of Deputy Clerk of 
L the county, under Itobert McFarland. Treasurer 
and Recorder. Prof. Smith is a fine ]5eiiinan and 
kept the records of the county until |S(;i. 

The Late Civil \Var was now in progress, and Mr. 
.Smith, laying aside personal interests, resolved to 
proffer his services for the preservation of the 
rnioii. lie recruited a company of forty-seven 
men, known as Fremont Iluzzars. which afterw-ard 
became tiie ."it h Iowa ('av;ilr\-. With these Prof. 



i'r. 



Smith entered the service, and when the regiment 
was organized he was commissioned Second Lieu- 
tenant, serving as such for two years, when, on ac- 
count of injuries received, he obtained an honora- 
l)le discharge. He had participated in various bat- 
tles, among them those of Ft. Donelson, O'liien 
River, Clarksville, Tenn., and various minor en- 
gagements. At the close of liis military service 
Prof. Smith returned to Vt. Madison, and engaged 
as a teacher in the public scliools, and has been thus ^^ 
occupied since that time. He is one of the oldest 
teachers in the State, and has made for himself .an 
excellent record, both as a gentleman of culture 
and a valuable instructor. 

Prof. Smith w.as married, in l.S;")7, to Miss Jo- 
anna W. D., daughter of Cliristian and Caroline 
Rhoda. Mrs. Smitii is a native of the same coun- 
try as her husband, and came to the United States ; 
when a young girl. Of their union have been born : 
seven children; William H., a stenographer in Clii- : 
cago; Ida A., who lives at home; Adelia C, the z] 
wife of Ilenrj' Martin, of Chicago, III. ; Walter S., g 
a student at Eliot Business College, at Burlington; Bi 
Phillip \'iele is connected with the Iowa Farming Bii 
Implement Company, and two young sons, Charlie gl 
and Henry, are with their [)areiits at home. Pi 
Smitli is connected witii the Lutheran Cliiireli, and §f. 
socially is a member of the (I. A. R. 



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OBERT DOANF, an honored pioneer 
Cedar Township, and one of its most re- 
spected citizens, is th6 owner of a tine farm 

He came 



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^^ estate located on section 10. 
here at an early day when there was the greatest 
need for strong hands and brave hearts, and per- 
formed the duties that devolved upon iiim most 
manfully and courageously. In his ple.a.sant Inune 
of to-day, surrounded by a large coinpau}- of warm §} 
and sympathizing friends, he is enjoying the fruits 
of his early toil, and presents a picture of well- 
earned peace and contentment. 

The birthplace of Mr. Doaue was Chatham §|' 
Countv, N. C, and the date thereof Aug. 14, I.S13. ij 
Ilis fatlier, Jesse Doaiie, was a native of the same hM^ 
State, and his yraiidf.-ither, John Doane, was from 




^r'^'^'^'^r'^i 





T- rmrrxxP - : 




LEE COUNTY. 



291 



Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather, .Joseph 
Doane, was of English descent and parentage, and 
came to America as a member of William I'cnn's 
colony, and settled in Bucks C'ountj% Pa. He was 
a raemlier of the Society of Friends, and the sev- 
eral generations of the family since that time have 
adhered loyally to the religious faith of their fa- 
thers. .John Doane moved to North Carolina be- 
fore the Revolutionary War, and settled in Chat- 
ham County upon a tract of timber land. He 
I'leared t\ farm from the wilderness, established a 
permanent home, and remained there until his 
ileath. His son, Jesse, the father of our subject, 
was reared in his native county and was there mar- 
ried. In 18:^7 he sold his possessions and, remov- 
ing to Tennessee, settled near Ivnoxville, where he 
purchased an improved farm, upon which he passed 
the remnant of his days. In early manhood he was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah Whiner}', a na- 
tive of North Carolina. She went with her hus- 
band to Tennessee and died there in 18.58 or 1859. 
The parental household consisted of twelve chil- 
dren, of whom the subject of our sketch was the 
fourth in order of birth. 

Robert Doane was reared on the farm of his par- 
ents, and remained with them until he had attained 
to years of manhood. He was a thoughtful and 
ambitious j'outh, and as years progressed developed 
those characteristics which have since made a suc- 
cess of his life. He was independent and self-re- 
liant, and at the age of twenty-three years started 
out to seek his fortune. He journeyed northwest 
to Morgan Count}% Ind., and leased a tract of land, 
which he cultivated for the space of eleven years, 
with fair success. In 1 847 he crossed the Father 
of Waters, making his journey to the river with a 
span of horses and a carriage. After arriving upon 
the soil of Iowa he purchased land on the south- 
east quarter of section 10, in Cedar Township, and 
made preparations to receive his family. One of 
his first duties was the building of a log cabin, and 
he made such improvements as he could during 
this j-ear. The following spring he commenced to 
put in his crops, and as time progressed received 
the reward of his labors in the smiling meadows 
and flelds of growing gi-ain. He added to his pos- 
sessions as his means permitted, and is now the 



proprietor of 212 acres, all in one liodj' and under 
improvement. He also has ten acres of timber in 
Henry County. 

The marriage of Robert Doane and Miss liaciiel 
Doane was celebrated in Orange County', Ind., 
.Tune 12, 1838. Mrs. Doane was the daughter of 
David and Ruth (Atkinson) Doane, natives of 
North Carolina. Her father came to Cedar Town- 
ship in 1 S49, and improved a farm on section 15, 
establishing a comfortable homestead, upon which 
he remained until his death. Mrs. Rachel Doane 
was born in Orange County, Ind., Sept. 3, 1821. 
and came to this section with her husband, but 
only lived a little over four 3-ears after coming 
here, her death occurring March 20, 1852. 

Mr. and Mrs. Doane became the parents of seven 
children: David lives in Cedar Township; Mary A., 
the wife of John Meadows, also lives in this town- 
ship; Eleazer, now deceased, was born April 24, 
1840; he served in the late war, in the 19th Iowa 
Infantrj', and marched to the scene of action with 
his regiment. He displayed more than ordinary 
aptitude for the duties of his position, and was soon 
afterward returned to the State of Iowa as recruit- 
ing officer. He raised a company, and was then 
transferred to the 8th Cavalry with a Captain's 
commission. He participated in many important 
engagements, and in 1864 was taken prisoner and 
confined in the rebel prison at Charleston, where 
he remained for nine months and was then paroled. 
After an honorable discharge he returned home, 
and settled in Cedar Township for a few years, go- 
ing thence to Osborne County', Kan. There he 
purchased a tract of land and successfull3' engaged 
in farming pursuits. He was cut down in the 
prime of life, his decease occurring Oct. 0, 188{;, 
at the age of forty-six years. By this sad event 
ten children were rendered fatherless. The maiden 
name of his wife was Amelia Cahill, and she was a 
native of Ohio. She still survives and resides in 
Osborne County, Kan. Ithamar was born Aug. 10, 
1841; he was also a soldier, and enlisted with his 
brother in the same regiment; shortly afterward he 
was taken sick, sent home on a furlough, and died 
one week after his return. Tiie three children buiii 
subsequently died young. 

Mr. Doane has been a man devoted to the wel- 



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292 



LEE COUNTY. 



fjire of his eliildren, and lli(>.sf wlio lived until of 
[iruper age received a good education. lie is an 
intelligent and well-read man, and takes an active 
interest in public affairs, contributing as his time 
and means permit to the success of every worthy 
object pertaining to the welfare of his community, 
and is in all respects fulfilling the obligations of a 
good citizen. He reniains loyal to the religious 
faith of his ancestors, and is connected with the 
Society of Friends. The homestead of Mr. Doane 
is a model one in every respect, consisting of a 
haildsonii' f;irni dwelling, a good liani. an<l all 
necessary and convenient oiithonscs. 



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KRKMI.MI F. HUNT, a retired farmer of 
C'h:ulcston Township, is in possession of a 
eomfoi'lable homestead on section 0, and in 
the sunset of life is enjoying the frnits of 
the toil of earlier years and the respect and confl- 
<lence of his fellow townsmen. The subject of this 
history is a native of Massachusetts, born in North- 
boro, Feb. 21, l!S()(). AVhen a child (jf six months 
old his parents removed from his native town to 
Palmer, Mass., where he lived until he attained his 
majority. His fatlicr was a shoemaker by trade, 
ami during the winter months our subject .assisted 
him in the shop. After becoming of age lie was 
engaged in farming and other occupations, and at 
times was employed in the dj-eing business in Hart- 
ford, Conn., Lynn, Mass., and other prominent 
towns in the Bay fState. 

Tiie early education of Mr. Hunt w.as obtained 

in the public schools of Palmer, and in later ^-ears 

he was sent to .school iii Maine, and in A]idover, in 

his native .State. In the fall of IHSiS he turned his 

face westward, came into Lee County, Iowa, and 

purchas^l a claim in what is now .section (),Charles- 

} ton Townsliip. Heing still a single ni.an he Iioarded 

; with a family near, and split rails during tiie tirst 

winlei-. In the spring he returned to his Eastern 

home, and remained there during the following 

5 summer; then, in the fall of l.s.'i'.), returned to Lee 

County with a team of horses and sucii articles as 

•^ he could nut readily |)ro(nre in the m^w country. 

lie now set al)out the improvement and cultivation 



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of his purchase, and added to his acreage as time 
and means permitted. He was prospered in his ag- 
ricultural pursuits and business transactions, and 
became one of the leading farmers of this section. 

Mr. Hunt is a man of large benevolence, and 
from the time of coming here has identilied him- 
self with the interests of his adopted county, and 
has always been willing to contribute of his time 
and means for the promotion of every worthy en- 
terprise. He is a firm believer in the Christian re- 5fH 
ligion, and polir-ically uniformly casts his vote with ~'n 
the Repuijlican party. Mr. H. has never married, 
and consequentlj' has had much time to devote to 
public matters, in which he has always taken an act- SEi 
ive interest. He has been an intelligent reader, is 
well informed, and can relate hosts of interesting 
incidents connected with the pioneer days when he 
first became a resident of the Hawkeye State. 

The parents of our subject were John and Huldah 
(Allen) Hunt, natives of Massachusetts, where they 
spent their entire lives, both dying in the town of 
Palmer. Their household circle included eleven 
children, of whom Jeremiah F. is the only surviv- 
ing member. 



-^-^ 




DWARl) H. THOMAS, late editor and i)ro- 
prietor of the West Point Appeal, is a na- 
tive of Louisa County, Iowa, and was born 
.Sept. 14, 1841. His father, William H. R. Thoni.as, 
of Philadelphia, Pa., came to Louisa County, Iowa, 
at an early period in its history, in 183G, and served 
as Sheriff of that county for twelve j'ears. In 1850 
he crossed the plains to California, where he died. 
In early manhood, in the fall of 183G, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Marj' R. E.agans, at Wapello, Iowa. 
She was born at Connersville, Ind., and came to 
Iowa in I'S.iO. That, same year she was married to 
the f.atiicr of our subject, and is still living. Of 
this union there were born three children — Edward 
H., Cicero 15. and Louisa. Cicero 15. was a soldier 
in the late war and a mcmlier of Co. F., IDth Iowa 
\'ol. Inf.; he w-as killed in battle at Spanish Fort, g] 
Ala.. Ai)ril s, ISlio. 

Edw.ard H. Tiionia> received a common-school 
education, and in the ye;ir 18,53 entered the ollice 




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of the Intelligencer at Wapello, Iowa, where he 
served an apprenticeship of four years at the print- 
ing business, at which he was occupied until Aug. 
8, 18G2, when, with his brother Cicero B., he en- 
listed in Co. F., 19th Iowa Vol. Inf., and served un- 
til the close of the war. He participated in about 
twenty -five battles and skirmishes, being on duty 
with his regiment constantly from the time it left 
Iowa until its return in 18G5. He was captured at 
the battle of Sterling Farm, La., on the 2'Jth of 
September, 1863, and taken by the Confederates 
to the prison pen near Tyler, Tex., where he was held 
for nearly three months. He was finally exchanged, 
and with his regiment received an honorable dis- 
charge at Davenport, Iowa. 

After his return from the army Mr. Thomas re- 
sumed the printing buisness, which he followed un- 
til 1867, and then became pilot and master of a 
steamer on the Mississippi River, at which he was 
employed for tiie following eight years. He then 
resumed his early occupation, and became the pub- 
lisher of various newspapers iu different parts of the 
country. He is a thorough-going business man, 
an expert •practical printer, and a journalist of 
marked ability. 



is 



eHARLE.S O. BAKER, M. D., a rising physi- 
cian of Ft. Madison, is attaining an enviable 
position among his brethren of the profes- 
sion in this vicinity as a close student, an extensive 
reader, and a man thoroughly acquainted with the 
intricacies of his profession. Aside from his evi- 
dent skill as a practitioner, his genial qualities and 
courteous demeanor have secured for him the friend- 
ship and patronage of a large proportion of the 
intelligent people of the Gem City. 

Dr. Baker is a native of the P^mpire State, and 
was born in Chenango County, June 8, 18-19. His 
father, Andrew Baker, was born in Steuben Conntj', 
the same State, in 1804, and his grandfather was 
also named Andrew Baker. The father of our sub- 
ject was a graduate of the Medical College of Ge- 
neva, N. Y., and practiced in Norwich, Chenango 
County, for many years, where his life terminated 
in December, 1K63. His wife w.as Miss Ruth K. 



293 



Marshall. She preceded him to the better land in 
.about isr)4. They were the parents of ten chil- 
dren, of whom Charles O. was the sixth in order of 
l)irth. 

Dr. Bak«r of this history received his primary 
education in the district schools of his native State, 
and was carefully trained by his parents at home. 
After his father's death he went to live with an un- 
cle, C. T. Baker, M. D., iu Michigan, where he pur- 
sued his school studies, and in due time graduated 
from tlie Decatur High School in ^'an Burcn County. 
He then entered an advanced class, where he was 
engaged in the study of Greek and Latin for one 
year, and then entered the University of Michigan 
at Ann Arbor, from the classical department of 
which he graduated with the degree of B. A. and 
later that of M. A. Soon afterward he entered the 
medical department of the same institution, gradu- 
ating from this also with honors, and in the spring 
of 1878 commenced the practice of his profe.ssion 
in Keokuk, coming thence in the fall of that year 
to Ft. Madison, where he has since pursued his pro- 
fessional duties witli unqualified success. 

The marriage of Dr. Baker and Miss Mary J. 
Armstrong was celebrated on the 2;')th of Septem- 
ber, 1879. Mrs. B. is the daughter of Bennett and 
Eliza J. (Vance) Armstrong. Of this union there 
has been born one child, Charles A. Tlie Doctor 
and his wife are highly esteemed members of the 
Episcopal Church, and their pleasant home is the 
resort of the most cultivated people in the Gem 
City. 



OBERT S. RANSON, editor of the Keo-, 
kuk Democrat, a daily and weekly, is junior 
member of the firm of Warwick & Ranson, 
and with his partners is successfully en- 
gaged in CI inducting one of the best journals of 
Southern Iowa. Our subject was born in Cynthi- 
ana, Kj'., -Jan. 16, 1854. His parents, Thomas and 
Ellen (Neeley) Ranson, two years later came to 
Keokuk, where they iiermanently located. They 
were of Irish birtli and parentage, and came to the 
United States iu tlieir ^-outh. The father departed 
this life iu Keokuk on the 2.5th of August, 1870. 
Upon first coming here he engaged in mercantile 




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294 



LEE COUNTY. 



pursuits, which he followed for several yeai-s, and Legislature, helping to frame it? laws. HeisPresi- 



thcn eugjigcd iu liiiiikiiig with Alc.v. Barclay, under 
the tirni name of Alex. Harday ct Co., succeeding 
to the liusiuess of (ioorgc C. Anderson iV Co. 

After arriving at suitable years, our subject l)c- 
gan to do l)usiuess on his own account, and was 
variously occupied. For several years he was 
clerli on a stcauilioat iu tlic employ of the Keo- 
1 kuU Northern l-iiic Packet Company, and after- 
ward engaged with the Keokuk it l)es Moines Rail- 
road Co., before it passed into control of the C. R. 
1. iV W Co., and continued on the road with the 
latter coriioration for seven years as Sui)erintend- 
ent's clerk, and iu other positions of respousibilitj'. 
lie cMlcrccl upon his present line of work in the 
summer of IK^O, being first connected with the 
Oatf City, as amusement and sporting editor and 
general writer, in which he vvas engaged for several 
years. He is a talented and able journalist, and 
has Itecome one of the lights of the editorial pro- 
fession in tliis locality. 

Onrsnliject was united in marriage with Mis.s 
Kuinia S. Cunningham, of Keokuk, on the 2oth of 
December, 1883. They are valued members of 
the cultured society of the (late City, and our 
subject has before him the prospect of a bright and 
successful future. 




.^.MITH IJAMILL, of the tirui of S. llamill 
& Co., wh(jle.sale grocers of Keokuk, is the 
oldest continuous grocery dealer iu the 
Gate City, llis present business was es- 
tablished iu the spring of 1 S,")2, when he started a 
small r('t;iil trade, which Inter vvas merged into 
the wholesale, and is now operating extensively in 
the latter business. Mr. llamill came to Keokuk 
in lH4(i, the same year that Iowm w.as admitted into 
the I'uion .as a State, lie was born iu Lawrence 
County, Pa., .lul}- 2:5, IHl.'t, his father being John 
llamill. a well-to-do farmer of the Ke3'stone State. 
lie rem.aincd with his parents until manhood, and 
then, crossing the Mississi|ipi, located in Keokuk, 

H where he has since resided and become uroi entiy 

y idenlilied with its business interests, 

.Mr. llamill was a member of the first Iowa State 




dent of the Iowa State In>ui:u)ee Company, lie- 
sides h(»lding positions of trust iu other promiueni 
institutions of the city. Religiously he i.~ con- 
nected with the United Presbyterian Cliurrh, of 
Keokuk, and is an Elder in the same. 



AMUKL E. CAREY is senior memlier of 
the firm of Samuel E. Carey A- Co., im- 
porters and dealers in glass and (pieeus- 
ware. located at No. 310 Main street, 
Keokuk, and doing a thriving and lucrative tiade. 
When Mr. Carey established his business at this 
point in August, 18.^3, it was the first of the kind 
in the State of Iowa, and his traus.actious have ex- 
tended throughout the greater part of the West. 
He has been a straightforward business man. system- 
atic and prompt to meet his obligations, and is ac- 
counted one of the valued factors of the business 
community. 

The subject of this history was liorn in Bni-k.- 
Count}-, Pa., Jan. Iti, 1824, and completed his edu- 
cation at Woodward College, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
His mercantile experience began when he was a 
^dutli of eighteen years, at which time he started iu 
business on his own account in Lancaster, K3'., as a 
retail dealer in general merchandise, in which place 
he operated until his removal to the (iate Citj'. 
He established his business here .as both whole- 
sale and retail, and has had men upon the road for 
the last twenty-tive years, his trade reaching into 
the States of Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska and Kan- 
sas. He began business in a small frame building 
which stood upon the ground now occupieil by his 
present handsome ar.d commodious business block, 
which was built by the Comstock Stove Works, and 
covers an Mica of 20x1 4t) feet, with four stories 
and liasement, all of which is occui)ied liy the firm 
of.Sjuuuel E. Care}' A- Co. 

Mr. Carey has contributed his full (piotn toward 
the business and industrial interests of this section, 
has been lil)eral and public-siiirited, and warndy 
iutel'ested iu the prosperity of the (Jate City. He 
is one of the Directors of the Keokuk National 
iiank, and is- \' ice-President of the Huildii'g and 



i^i 



d^"^^'''/.''!'7T^ 



Hr--VJ^^'_l/l-Jj,jja 





Loan Association. He has been connected with 
the Iowa State Insurance Company as Director an<l 
Treasurer for a perioil of twenty years, and was a 
member of the School Board for seventeen years. 
He is President of the Keokuk Liltrary Association, 
and was first President of the Okl Settlers' As- 
sociation. He is also a member of Westminster 
Presbj'terian Church, and has been an Elder for 
many years. 

Mr. Carey was married in 1853 to Miss Lucy 
Garfield, a native of Massachusetts, and they have 
liecome the parents of two children: Lucy, the 
wife of Dr. Bacon, of Biddeford, Me., and Janie, 
who is at home with her parents. 

LEXANDER BULLARD, a successful 
farmer and stock-grower of Jefferson Town- 
ship, owns and occupies a fine estate on 
^jf' section 2. He is the possessor of 87ti acres 

of land, most of which is on the first bottoms 
of the Mississippi River, and a large portion of 
it in the old "half-breed" tract. It consists prin- 
cipall^" of the quality of soil which produces in 
abundance all kinds of vegetables and cereals 
grown in this climate. He has one of the best 
locations for general farming purposes in the count}', 
and as a stock-raiser makes a specialty of Norman 
horses. He is half owner of two valuable horses 
well known in this section of country, and regis- 
tered as follows: Leon Gambetta was foaled in 
France in 1879, and weighs 1,900 pounds; he is 
recorded in N. II. S. B. 2825, and was imported b}' 
A. C. Lawrej' of Bloomington, 111., in 1884. Prince 
Albert weighs 1,680 pounds, was foaled in France 
in 1881, and is recorded in N. H. S. B. 2833. He is 
a dark steel-graj-, of beautiful proportions, and was 
obtained at a great price. Both horses are of kindly 
disposition and fine stjde of movement. Mr. Bul- 
lard has been at great pains to improve the breed 
of horses in his locality and has competed success- 
fully at the fairs of this and other counties. 
Besides his horses he exhibits some fine specimens 
of thoroughbred cattle and hogs. 

Mr. Bullard is a native of Putnam Countv, Ind., 
and was born on Christmas Day, 1835. His father, 



James Bullard, was a farmer by occupation, a native 
of ^■irginia and of Southern parentage. He was 
mairied in his native county of Grayson to Miss 
Kittie Wilson, a native i>f the same county, and also 
of Southern i)arcntage and ilescent. After their 
marriage and the birth of one child, now Mrs. 
Mary Mitchell, of Jefferson Township, Mr. and 
Mrs. B. removed from N'irginia to Indiana, and 
two months later their first son and second child, 
our subject, first saw the light. In the fall of 1837 
the little family crossed the Mississippi and came 
into Lee Count}'. Iowa, making the journey across 
the wild prairie with teams. They at once settled 
upon a farm of 260 aci'es in the Mississippi Valley, 
two and a half miles fi'om Ft. Madison. Two 
years after their removal the faithful wife and 
affectionate mother was called to leave her loved 
ones, and yielded up her life in the fall of 1839. 
She was a sincere Christian, a good neighbor, and 
gi-eatly beloved by all who knew her. The father 
survived her about twelve years, dying in 1851, at 
his home in Jefferson Township. 

Thus, by the death of his parents, Alexander 
Bullard, his two brothers and one sister were left in 
lonely orphanage. Alexander was fifteen years old 
at that time and accepted such employment as he 
could find in order to obtain a livelihood. He 
continued following farm pursuits until he was 
twenty-four jears of age. He had been prospered 
in his labors, was industrious and economical, and 
now felt justified in forming domestic ties of his 
own. He was accordinglj' married at the home of 
the bride's parents in Jefferson Township, to Miss 
Martha A. l)t)dsou. Mrs. Bullard is tiie daughter 
of Daniel and Rebecca (Jestus) Dodson. The 
Dodsons were originally from North Carolina, and 
the Jestus famii}' were natives of Pennsylvania. 
They came to Iowa before their marriage, and 
settled in Jefferson Township, where Mr. Dodson 
and Rebecca Jestus were married in 1839, and there 
the mother died some years later. Mrs. Bullard was 
born Sept. 15, 1840; her father is still living, and 
is a resident of Pawnee, Kan., having .arrived at 
the advanced age of seventy-one years. 

Mr. and Mrs. B. have become the parents of nine 
children, one of whom. James, the eldest, died at 
the age of three years. The living are : Frances R., 







m 



11 



PI 
iifp 

m 

mi 

lii 






the wife of Edward Richardson: l.aiini K., the wife 
of Kr.-mcis llarsliinaii, lives with iier iiiisliaml on a 
farm in .lefterson Township; Alexander, Mary, 
^iicretia, W'iiliani, Roy and Arcliic are at hi^nie. 
'I'lie family are members of the Jlelliodist I'rotesl- 
.'iMt (iuireh, in whieh denomination Mr. B. is promi- 
nent .as a Trustee. He is highly respected in his town- 
shij) for his sound judcfmentand intelligence, and has 
held the minor oflices in the gift of his townsmen. 
He is a reliable Democrat, and casts his vote in 
support of the principles of the part3' of his clioice. 
The two brothers and the sister of Mr. Bullard are 
all living in comfortable homes in Jefferson 
Townshi]). A lithographic view of the resideiu'e 
and stock of Mr. Bullard is shown elsewhere in this 
work. 



ON. JOHN VAN VALKENBURC;, senior 
member of the law firm of Xnn Valkenburg 
\- Ilaniilton. of Ft. ^Mailison, Iowa, isagen- 
^) tlem.'ui in the prime of life, and a Canadian 
b}' birth. He was born at St (leorge, Ontario, 
April 10, 1>^32, and located at Ft. Madison in 1 «;").!. 
\\lien our subject was but a lad his parents re- 
moved from his native Canada to the United States, 
crossing the Father of Waters and locating in Iowa 
in 184G, the same year in which it was admitted 
into the Union as a State. The ])rairies of this now 
rich and powerful comniouwcalth at that time were 
almost withcjut habitation. These pioneers wei'e 
not burdened with means, but they had a rich fund 
of determination, and were industrious by habit and 
principle. In the course of time they were en- 
aliled to acquire a small tract of land, upon which 
they erected an humble home, where they reared 
their family as best they could with the limited 
educational facilities at hand, public schools at that 
time not b<-ing numerous or eiisily accessible. 

Each evening within tliat humble home upon the 
broad prairie might have been seen young Van 
Valkenburg, after the day's labor had been per- 
formed, in front of a log fireplace, struggling with 
^ the elementary branches of education. He jjursued 
his course of study almost unaiiled for sever.al 
years, in the meantime assisting his father upon the 
farm, and from his small earnings saved wlialcver 



1^ 






he could, until by the severest toil and closest econ- 
omy he had accumulated sufHcient funds witii 
which to enter upon a collegiate course. 

At the age of seventeen years our subject en- 
tered the prejiaratory school of Prof. Howe, of 
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and pursued a course of studj' 
there for the following three years. He then StR 
spent one year at Oberlin College, Ohio, then 
went to Galesburg, 111., and completed his educa- 
tion in Knox College. At the expiration of this 
time he was elected Principal of tlie State Normal 
School of Iowa, in which position he served one 
year, but declined the appointment for the succeed- 
ing term, as his training and tastes inclined him to 
the profession of the law. He now proceeded to 
Chicago, III., and engaged in the stud}- of law in 
the office of (^oudy, Waite & Jamieson, the lead- 
ing attorneys of the Northwest, where he remained 
for one year, thence returned to his h(jme in his 
adopted State, and completed his professional stud- 
ies with the distinguished firm of Miller & Beck, of 
Ft. Madison. He was soon afterward admitted to 
the bar. His natural endowments, literary culture 
and thorough knowle<lge of the law, soon procured 
for him a profitable and extensive practice in the 
State and F^ederal courts, which he retains to this 
daj'. He has alwaj's been interested in political mat- 
ters, and casts his vote uniformly with the Repub- 
lican party. He was a Congressional elector and 
Presidential elector at large, in lt<7G and 1 S80. 
He was candidate for Congress in 1874, and after 
147 ballots was defeated bj' only one vote, George 
W. McCrary being the successful candidate. Mr. 
\:m \'alkenburg was never an office-seeker, but 
has many times been honored with important ]K>si- 
tions of trust, and has been especially noted as be- 
ing free from acrimony and partisan bitterness. 

Mr. \'an A'alkenburg has been a verj' prominent 
member of the I. O. O. F. in the West. He was 
initiated into the mysteries Jan. 22, 1868, in Ft. 
Madison Lodge No. 157, of which he is still a mem- 
ber. In 1880 he w.as elected Grand Master of the 
order in Iowa, and in June following was elected 
(irand Representative to the Sovereign (Jrand 
Lodge, taking his seat in September, ltS83, in the 
S. {;. L. at Providence, R. I. He was re-elected 
(iraiid Representative without opposition, by the jli} 



ii 



li 



Odd Fellows of Iowa in June, 1884. Preceding 
this he had been knighted as a charter memlier 
of C4era City Lodge No. 21, of Ft. Madison, and 
was its first Vice Chancellor. He was elected 
Grand Chancellor from the floor in 1875, and re- 
elected two years later. He has been an iutlueii- 
tial and efficient member of the Supreme Lodge of 
the World for seven consecutive sessions, having 
first taken his seat at the memorable session in 1876, 
at Independence Hall, Philadelphia. 

Mr. Van Valkenburg is an ardent advocate of 
the principles, practices and usages of Pj'thianism, 
and by his consistent life and writings, and elo- 
quent tongue, has lieen instrumental in working up 
a strong and powerful organization in his State, 
which to-day carries the banner as the most pros- 
perous jurisdiction in the Union. His speeches 
and essays are embellished with poetic eloquence, 
and he is i-egarded as one of the leading orators of 
his State. His prolific and versatile pen has been the 
means of adding many folios to Pythian literature, 
being the author of "The Knights of Pythias Com- 
plete Manual and Text Book," "Jewels of Pythian 
Knighthood," "Official Digest of the Laws, Decis- 
ions and Proceedings of the Grand Lodge, K. of P., 
of Iowa," besides numerous lectures and essa3's. He 
has been welcomed not only by the press, but by emi- 
nent scholars, as a writer of acknowledged ability. As 
a lawyer Mr. Van ^'alkenburg is a strong advocate, 
possessed of sound judgment and peculiar argu- 
mentative powers. As a citizen he is liberal and 
enterprising, making the interests of his community 
those of his own, and assisting, both by his influ- 
ence and more sul)Stantial means, every wortliy 
public enterprise, moral, religious or educational. 

Hon. John Van ^'alkenburg and Miss Mary J. 
Douglass were married July 3, 1861, in Ft. Madi- 
son, Iowa. Mrs. Van V. is a native of this cit3', born 
in 1838, on the same block where she now lives. 
Of this union there have been born three children 
— Edwin D., Clement L. and Joel W. 

The career of Mr. Van Valkenburg is a striking 
example of what determination and perseverance 
may accomplish in the midst of difficulties. The 
char.acter and disposition of the studious boy pur- 
suing his studies b3' the winter firelight in the 
lonely cabin of the [irairie, alnmst unmistakaldj' 




foretold his future career, and well fitted him for 
those duties in later life which he could not well 
have assumed under anj' other circumstances. He 
has noblj' worked his way from obscurity to promi- 
nence, and receives ample reward in the esteem of 
his fellow-citizens. The famil}* occupy a fine dwell- 
ing, surrounded by all the evidences of cultivated 
tastes and ample means, and the homestead is one 
of the handsomest spots in the cit^- of Ft. Madison. 

ETER HAUBERT, one of the prosperous 
l)usiness men of the (Jate City, is success- 
fully conducting a meat-market at No. 1124 
Main street. He is a native of Montrose, 
this county, and was born Jan. 19, 1854, his parents 
being Peter and Catharine (Gerard) Hauljert, 
natives of Germany, who emigrated from their 
native land in 1848, crossed the Mississippi, and 
came directly to Iowa two years after its admission 
into the Union as a State. Peter Haubert was a 
brewer by occupation, and followed this business 
for some time after coming to Iowa, having first 
settled in Keokuk. From here he went to Mont- 
rose, where he was engaged for a time in a distil- 
lerj-, then returned to Keokuk and erected a 
In-evvery, which he sold out in 1860. He returned 
to Montrose and engaged in hotel-keeping for the 
following sixteen years, after which he came back 
to Keokuk, and is still engaged in the same busi- 
ness, his hotel being located at the intersection of 
Second and Johnson streets. The parental family 
consisted of nine children, as follows: Catharine, 
Peter Christine, Carrie, John, Joseph, Henry, 
Charles and Bertha, all residents of Keokuk. Mr. 
Haubert, the elder, is an enterprising business man, 
and enjoys the cordial esteem and confidence of his 
fellow-townsmen. He was Road Su|)ervisor and 
Alderman at Montrose, and politically affiliates 
with the Democratic party. 

Peter Haubert, the subject of this biography, 
attended school until he was fifteen years of age, 
when he went to Burlington, and served an ap- 
prenticeship of two years at the butcher's trade. 
From there lie went to Ft. Madison, remaining also 
twi) years; thence to Montrose, and opened a meat- 




i 



w 



1 



m 




nrm i - i ' i i v » 




21)8 



LEE COUNTY. 



market, in the business of wliich he was engajjed 
until 1H81. Hi' then (lisi)osed of his interests there 
and Ciiine ti) Keoi<ui<, wliere he now has two sho])s, 
and is doing a Uiriving and steadily increasing 
liiisiness. 

Tliomas Ilaiiberl was married in liS7'.), to Miss 
Isadora Neiise, a native of Montrose, and daughter 
of Henry Neuse. Of this union there have been 
born t«'(j children — Isadora Pauline and Frankie. 
Politically Mr. llaiibert, like his father, is a stanch 
adherent of the Democratic part}', and socially he 
belongs to the A. V. it A. M. 



/p^jEORCl': n. CURTIS is a successful agriciil 
'f[ (=^ iirist of Montrose Township, where he owi 
^Jsi a fine farm of •22;> acres. He is a n.ative < 




,^^EOR(;i': n. CURTIS is a successful agrlcult- 

.'US 

_ ve of 
Livingston County, N. Y., the date of his birtli 
being May 12, 1.S31. His parents were Daniel and 
Emily (Woodford) Curtis, natives of the same State 
as their son. Daniel Curtis was born in 1803, and 
his wife in 1X05; tliey were married in 1828, and 
moved to Ohio in 18;34, and the same year moved 
to Genesee County, Mich., and in 1856 came to Lee 
County. Both died in Iowa in tin- year 18.59. 
They became the parents of si.x children, viz., 
(ieorgo D., Charles H., Charlotte W., Lucretia F., 
Edward R. and Rupert M. 
(ieorge D. Curtis remained with his parents dur- 

IjT ing his youthful years, and came with them from 
i Michigan to Iowa in 1 «.'>(;. He was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary F. Wollfit, in January, 1855. 
Mrs. Curtis is a native of England, born Dee. 13, 
1H32, and is the daughter of Williaui and Hannah 
(Skins) Wolltil, of English ancestry and parentage. 
Her father (lied in l.sT'.i, but her mother is .still liv- 
ing. The parental household included six ehildicM 
— .Mary F., Betsey, .lohn, Thomas, Harriet and 
William; the latter died in infancy. 

The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Georu-e 
Curtis has inelude<l eight children, as follows: 
llani.'l I,., b(,ni .\uv. 11, 1855, died Oct. 22, 1»71, 
when sixteen years old; Wiiliani 1). was bi>rn May 
15. 185!); Clara W., lioru .Inly 211, iMdl, only lived 
two mouths; Edward T. was born Nov. 7, IS(;3; 
Charles H., Dec. 24, 1805; Mary A., .June 10, l.-SOS; 



Samuel L., April 1 3, 1870 ; (ieorge D., June 15, 1873. 
The subject of our sketch came to Iowa in 185G, 
making his first location in Montrose Township, and 
has been a resident of Lee County since that time. 
\\^lien a young man he learned the trade of harness- 
making, and followed this calling three years in 
(ienesee County and Lapeer, Mich., to which place his 
father moved from Ohio in 1834, thence coming to 
Lee County. Beside the ordinary duties of the 
farm, Mr. Curtis is quite extensively eng.aged in 
the breeding of Poland-China hogs. He has a com- 
fortable farm dwelling, a good barn, and all the 
necessary outhouses, and the homestead is a model 
one in every respect. Its proprietoi' has enjoyed 
in a marked degree the confidence of his fellow- 
citizens, and has held the office of Township Trus- 
tee for two terms in Des Moiues Township. He 
has alw.'13'S been an active temper.ance man, and is 
a niend)er in good standing of the New-School 
Presbyterian Church, with which he has been con- 
nected for thirt3'-one years. In politics he uniformly 
easts his vote in support of the principles of the 
lir|iul)lic;in pai-ty. 



:i 



-^--'i 



m. 



7OSIAH HEMINGWAY, Postmaster at Gal- 
land, is also engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
and is the possessor of a fine homestead in 
Montrose 'I'ownship, located on section 25. 
He came to Iowa in 1845, one year previous to its 
adnnssion into the Union as a .State, and hasconse- 
(piently witnessed many and remarkable changes, 
and with other brave pioneers of that day, eontrib- jj: 
uled his share toward the development of the 
country, lie oi)ene(l a farm, established a home- 
stead, and is now one of tiie substanti.il and highly 
respected citizens of Lee County. 

The snl)ject of our sketch is the son of .loliu anil 
Maiy (Seeley) Hemingway, natives of Canada, 
born at Tt>ronto, where they attained to 3'ears of 
maturity, and were there married, and in 1845 came 
to Iowa, making their first location in N.ashville, 
Lee C'ounty. There they purchased ICd acres of 
land, established a home and spent the remainder 
of their days. .John Hemingway departed this life Jri 






k^^^yjyt 



in February, 1H78; his wife, Mrs. Mary S. Heming- 
way, survived him three years, and died in 1881. 
Of their union there were born the following' 
children : Miranda became the wife of James Mar- 
shall ; Mary was married to Alfred Pettit, and Har- 
riet, who married Mr. Anderson, is now deceased. 
Three children died in infancy. 

Josiah Heniingwa}' spent his earlier years under 
the parental roof, and received a fair education in 
the common schools. In enrlj- manhood he was 
united in marriage with Miss Martha Gore, their 
union taking place in February, IS.tG. Mrs. H. was 
born in Hancock County, 111., in 1834, and is the 
daughter of J. D. and Mar}- (Peterson) (iore, both 
natives of Tennessee. Mr. Hemingway has fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits all his life. Besides 
the homestead he has 17,') acres of land at or near 
Burnside, Hancock Co., 111., and thirty acres 
separate from the homestead in Lee County, Iowa. 
In addition to his duties as Postmaster lie is also 
Station Agent at (Jallaud. While working upon 
the farm he met with an accident by which he lost 
his left arm, having been caught in the gearing of 
a threshing-machine, and he is practically unfitted 
for hard labor. 

In 1852 Mr. Hemingway crossed the Rocky 
Mountains with an ox-team, and engaged for eight- 
een months mining in California. He returned 
home by way of the Isthmus; was thereafter mar- 
ried, and settled jjermanentl}' upon his farm. He 
is Democratic in politics, and is ampl}' entitled to 
be termed an honest man and a good citizen. 




'i^m- 




,APT, THOMAS WATERHOUSE, of Mt. 
Haniill, is one of the prominent business 
J' men of this section, and engageil in general 
merchandising, wliicli he is conducting successfuUj' 
Mud profltabl}'. He established his present business 
in Ajjril, 1881, and was the first merchant in the 
place. He erected the first store Ijuilding in Mt. 
llamill, which was a one-stor^' structure, 20x.S(t feet 
in dimensions, and tlie following j'ear jiut up an- 
other, 20x.oO feet, and two stories; this latter, with 
its stock, was destroyed b}' fire on the 13th of April, 
ISS."). He then purchased another [building, to 



which he put an addition. The Captain is a straight- 
forw.ard business man, and by his geni.al .and cour- 
teous manner has built up an extensive patronage. 
Capt. Thomas Waterhonse was born in Cheshire, 
England, Feb. 24, 181',), and is the son of James f^ 
and Martha VVaterhouse, both of whom died in 
1 825, when their son was l)ut six years of age. He 
was then taken care of by his elder brother James, 
and at the age of seven years commenced to work 
in a woolen-mill, where he remained until he was 
seventeen. He learned to weave, and afterward ac- 
quired the trade of " dresser," and sewed for three 
years following. Then, in 1839, at the age of 
tnenty years, he resolved to emigrate to America. 
He accordingly set sail from Liveri)ool on the 21st 
of February on the good ship " Cambridge,'' and 
after a prosperous voyage landed in New YorkCitj' 
on the 7th of April following. He soon afterward 
obtained emplo3'nient as "dresser" in a cotton fac- 
tory at Seneca Falls, N. Y., where he remained one 
year, then went to Auburn for twenty months, and 
was thereafter employed at his trade as dresser and 
weaver until 1844. He then went to Boston and 
engaged with the firm of Baldwin & Parks, and as- 
sisted in erecting looms in various manufactories 
in the New England States for the following two 
years. During this time his duties led him into all 
the princip.al manufacturing districts in New En- 
gland, and he obtained a valuable experience in 
this department of business. 

About this time the country along the Mississippi 
Valley was attracti 
people on account 
and the inducement: 

enterprising emigrant. Young Waterhonse resolved 
to cast his fortunes with the great caravan which 
was moving westward, and in 1846 found himself in 
the j'oung State of Wisconsin, and located near the 
town of Utica, Winnebago County, where he pur- 
chased a claim of Government land, upon which he 
erected a frame house, planted an orchard, and in 
the course of time made other valuable improve- 
ments. In l^i.5() he sold out at a good profit, went 
to Missouri, and purchased KiO acres of partly im- 
proved land in St. Louis County, where he remained 
until the war broke out. 

In April, 18G1, our subject became a member of 




w 



ing much attention from Eastern t H 

of its prospects for the future [^=Si 

nts it held out to the young and wW^l 



il 

JMpj 



* 



1 



1 XJX m r nrTr TTTi r:riiTT rTTTrTT< 1 1 



- r-rTTT t ntjriT-T-rrT-T f wTtTiTr T- 



t ' ■iim 





302 



LEK COUNTV. 



the Home Guards, and in August of the same 3'eai- 
he was commissioned, in oonipiiny with six others, 
as the bearer of despateiu's to Alliens, Mo. He was 
captni-ed hy tlie rebels at Fairmont, Mo., taiven to 
their camp, and tiied and convioted for taking up 
arms iigainst the State of Missouri. Tlie party had 
appropriated to their use some liorses belonging to 
the rebel commander, Martin Greene, and for this 
otfense our .subject was held to appear before a 
higher tribunal, and was taken on the march with 
the retreating rebels, many <<( whom were his old 
neighbors. When they stopped at night near the 
eastern liank of the Missouri River, Mr. Water- 
house and the three others were confined in a small 
building, with a sentinel at the door to prevent their 
escape. In the night, however, he and one of his 
comrades (the other two being asleep) escaped 
thiongh the window, and hid in the hazel bushes 
1^^ near by until the rebels started out of camp in the 
morning and marched aw.ay. Mr. Waterhouse and 
his companion then started to join their comrades 
at Mason City. They kept their eyes open and fled 
to cornfields upon the approach of danger. They 
slept in straw-st.acks at night, and confiscated what- 
ever they could find to eat in the fields during their 
journej'. At one time they boarded a railroad 
train, but having no money to pay their fare were 
soon put off. They finally reached Mason City in 
safety. 

The Home (uiards were then organized .as the 
21st Missouri Infantry, and were mustered into 
service at Canton, Mo., Feb. 2, 1862. Mr. Water- 
house was made Orderly . Sergeant, participating 
with his comrades in the fortunes of w.ar for the fol- 
lowing three years; he was in the battles of Shiloh, 
Corinth .and Inka. In .M:uch, 1H(J2, he was returned 
t(.> .Missouri .as a recruiting ofHcer, and after a month 
returned to the scene of conflict with his company. 
In December, 1 «t;.!, he was transferred to the tilth 
United States Infantr}', and commissioned Captain 
of Comi)any 1). in which position he served until 
the close of the war. linving made a brave and 
courageous record. While a captive in the hands 
of the Confederates he was proffered an officer's 
commission if he would join the rebel army, but 
he indignantly refused. He was wounded three 
times in the service and is now a pensioner. At the 



close of his militarj' career, in the summer of 1865, 
Capt. Waterhotise returned home to Missouri and 
engaged in farming until 1881 , and shortly after- 
ward disposed of his farm |)roperty and established 
his i)resent business in Mt. Ilamill. 

Capt. ^Vaterhouse was married to Miss Sarah H. 
Kirker, Oct. 2;», 1.S4(;. Mrs. W. was a native of 
Massachusetts, and of her union with our subject 
were liorn five children, the record of whom is as 
follows: Sarah is the wife of David Day, and lives 
in Eaton. Col.; Emma F. is with liei' sister Sarah: 
.Mary became the wife of .lames F. Day, and lives 
in Mianu Count}', Kan.; Callie is the wife of Coon 
Goodwin, of Eaton, Col.; Frank is with his brother 
.at the latter-named place. The second wife of 
Capt. U'atcrhouse, to whom he was married .luuc 
21t, 188.5. was Mrs. Sarah Leenian, of Birmingham, 
England, who came to America in ls47.and by her 
first nuirriage had two children — William and Anna. 

As a prominent citizen of the county, and a rep- 
resentative business man, the publishers of this 
Ai.BiM are ple.ased to present in their galax}- of 
portraits that of Capt. M^aterhouse. 



■-^t^- 



sJl!^ 



<^*c^- 



ILBEUT COMSTOCK,of Keokuk, .Secretary 
of the Central Stove Works, has been an 
^^41 honored citizen of the (iate City since 1849, 
and in a residence of over thirty-five years has ma- 
terially aided the industrial interests of this sec- 
tion. He has been a gentleman of unbounded per- 
severance and energy, and from the beginning 
manfully invaded the wide field of operation pre- 
sented to him, the results of which can scarcely be 
detailed within the brief columns of a biograph}'. 

The subject of this narrative received his first 
impressions of life among the New England hills, 
and is the son of Isaac .and Corinda (Cooper) 
Comstock, natives of Massachusett-, in which State 
also occurred the birth of their son. Isaac Corn- 
stock was a farmer by occupation, and with the ex- 
ception of a few years at the close followed agri- 
cultural pursuits during his lifetime. He was a 
man of great force of character, was an extensive 
reader, and prominent in the councils of his State 



and section. He served as a member of the Massa- 
chusetts Legislature, and held the important offices 
of his own eoiinty and township. Both parents 
were connected with the Congregational Church, 
;lj in which the father of our subject was one of the 
leading pillars. The parental household 0(jnsisted 
of thirteen children, all of whom lived ti^ 3'ears of 
maturity, but ten are ni)w deceased : William II. is 
a resident of Chiekopee, Mass. ; Elvira, Mrs. E. H. 
Parish, is a resident of Hinsdale, Mass. ; the third 
remaining is the subject of this sketch. Isaac 
Comstock departed this life in 1 840, and Corinda, 
his wife, survived him thirty-four years, and folded 
her hands for her final rest in 1880. 

(iilbert Comstock remained upon his father's 
farm until he was sixteen 3'ears old, receiving his 
primary education in the public schools. He then 
attended Lennox Acadeni}', and after a thorough 
course in this institution, started out into the busi- 
ness world for himself. He then went to N3'aek on 
the Hudson River and served an app;enticeship at 
the manufacture of stoves with Richard P. Eells, 
with whom he remained for three 3"ears. He was 
an enterprising and ambitious 3'oung man, and not 
being quite satisfied with his condition and pros- 
pects in the East, he resolved to cross the Missis- 
sippi and test the reports which were then coming 
from the 3'oung and rapidl3- growing State of Iowa. 
His first objective point was Keokuk, where he ar- 
rived in the fall of 1849, and engaged as a retail 
dealer in stoves and tinware. He had associated 
with him his next elder brother, Theodore, and 
they operated under the firm name of Comstock & 
Bro. To their retail trade they added a jobbing 
business, and continued operations here until 1865, 
operating over a large extent of territory. In due 
time they commenced the manufacture of stoves; 
the firm was re-organized, and the business finall3- 
extended throughout the South and Northwest, for 
which their goods were especially manufactured, 
their output being about 1.5,000 stoves annually, 
in the manufacture of which they frequently em- 
ployed a force of ninety to 100 men, being one of 
the most important manufactories in this section. 

The marriage of Gilbert Comstock and Miss 
Helen M. Graham was celebrated in 1854. in the 
eit3- of Keokuk. Mrs. Comstock is a daughter of 



William C. Graham, of Keokuk. They occupy a 
handsome residence at No. 116 Concert street, and 
their large circle of friends and acquaintances com- 
prises the most cultured people of the Gate City. 
Mr. Comstock is Republican in politics, and with B 
his wife is connected with the Presbyterian Church, i 
He is highl3' esteemed in social as well as business 
circles, and is looked upon as one of the impor- 
tant factors of the business commuuit3' in having 
established an institution which is at once of incal- 
culable benefit, both to the State at large and to 
the large number of men who are given employ- 
ment, and by this means provided with the neces- 
saries of life. 




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ENRY SCHARFENBERG. The gentleman 
whose name stands at the head of this sketch 
occupies a prominent position among the 
industrial interests of the Gate City, being 
a first-class manufacturer of saddlery, harness, etc., 
in which he is a retail dealer. He is located at 
No. 721 Main street, and is doing a prosperous 
and steadily increasing business. Our subject is a 
native of Prussia, and was born ,Ian. 15, 1842. 
His parents were Henry and Wilhelmina Scharfen- 
berg. His father was a weaver by trade, and fol- 
lowed this calling all his life, dying in 1850. The 
parental household consisted of ten children, of 
whom only two are living — Antonetta and the sub- 
ject of this biograph3'. 

Henry Scharfenberg began his education in the 
public schools of his native land at the earl3' age 
of six 3'ears, and pursued his studies continuouslj- 
for the space of eight 3-ears thereafter. He was an 
ambitious bo3' and intensely interested in the ac- 
counts coming from the New ^Vorld as regarded 
the inducements held out to the enterprising emi- 
grant. He therefore determined to seek his fort- 
une there, and at the age of fourteen years left the 
parental roof to come to America. After reach- 
ing New Orleans he proceeded to St. Louis, Mo., 
where he engaged to learn the saddlery and har- 
ness business, and served an apprenticeship of five 
years. He then worked one year as journe3'man, 
and in 1863 came to Keokuk and purchased the 



BHE 







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LEE COUNTY. 



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saddlery and harness business of Peter Bowder- 
wine, which wa;^ located on Main street, between 
Seventh and Kif,dith. nnd has since continued the 
business at the same i)iace. He employs from one 
to five men, and is the largest manufacturer of this 
line of goods in the (iate City. He put up his new 
building in 1872. It is a two-story brick, 2(>x.'.o 
feet, and was erected at a cost of fully ii3,0()(). 

Mr. Scharfenborg was married in 1802 to Miss 
Krnestine Sehwarner, a native of his own country, 
and daughter of Casper .Sehwarner, of Germany. 
Their union has been blest by the birth of four 
children— Emmie, Mina (deceased), Harry and 
Aimer. Thej' occujiy a handsome residence .at No. 
Ill;} Concert street, which Mr. .Scharfenberg put 
up iu 1877. and the homestead is surrounded by 
all the evidences of a cultivated taste and ample 
means. During his residence here of nearly a quar- 
ter of a century he has established himself iu the 
confidence of his fellow-citizens, and has occupied 
an important position among tlic business and so- 
cial elements of the city. He is Republican in pol- 
itics, liberal minded .and public spirited, and con- 
tributes cheerfully of his time and means to the ad- 
vancement of every worthy object jiertaining t(» 
the welfare of his communitj'. 

.Mr. Scharfenberg belonged to the State Militia 
of Missouri during his residence in that State, and 
served two months in the 1 Ith Regiment as a mem- 
ber of the guard, under command of Col. Curtis. 
A lithographic view of the cottage and business 
block of Mr. Scharfenberg is shown on another 
IMVge of this work. 



-<*1^>* 



-*-*+-e»- 





KNKV .IKFFKRSON, the -honest miller" 
of \\'est Point, is a successful dealer in 
tlour and grain, and since 188;^, as the 
successor of .Mr. Valentine, has done an 
excellent and steadily increasing trade. The mill 
was erected l)y Hibbard <fe .Scliulte in 18.t1), who at 
different times leo.sed it to various other parties. 
It has a grinding capacity of 150 bushels per day. 
and the business of Mr. Jefferson is principally 
from regular customers. Our subject located in 
West Point in 1857, and assisted in building the 



mill which he now operates, having been a practi- 
cal engineer since a young man. He was employed 
in the mill much of the time since it has been built, 
and has managed its various departments with skill 
and good judgment. 

Henrv .left'erson is of English descent and i)ar- 
cntage, and was born in Yorkshire. England. .Ian. 
20. 182!). He comes from a good family, and both 
his i)arents siient their lives in their native country 
and died in Vuikshire. Soon after attaining his 
majority. Henry .(efferson emigrated to the I'nited 
States, arriving here in 18,')2. He located at Pitts- 
burgh. Pa., and although without friends, relatives 
or intlnence, soon obtained a good position as 
fireman in a lai'ge tlouring-mill. of which he after- 
ward became engineer. After leaving Pennsylva- 
nia he went into Illinois, and operated a niiil at 
Georgetown, McDonough County, afterward cross- 
ing the Mississippi and settling in West Point 
Township in 1857. 

Four years later the rebellion of the Southern 
States began to assume alarming proportions, and 
Mr. Jeft'erson, having become deeply interested in 
the welfare of his ado|)ted country, enlisted as a 
soldier of the Union at Burlington, Iowa, becom- 
ing a member of the 1st Iowa Cavalrj', of the 
Western Division. With his regiment he |)nrtici- 
pated in their manj- engagements and skirmishes, 
being in the battles of Perry Grove and Little 
Rock, Ark., and at .lohnstown. Mo., wheie he was 
wounded by two riHe-halls, and at the same place 
had his horse shot from under him. As the animal 
fell Mr. Jefferson's left leg was caught beneath it, 
which resulted in a painful injur}-, and necessitated 
his confinement in the hospital for two months. 
At the expiration of this time he rejoined his regi- 
ment iind remained with his comrades until the 
close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge 
at Davenport, Iowa. He then returned to the 
scenes of his former peaceful labors in West Point, 
where he has remained since that time. 

Mr. .Feft'er.sou was married, Nov. 17, 1870, to 
.Miss Mary A. Walters, of Pennsylvania, where she 
was born iu the year 1830. She came to Iow:i 
with licr parents in 1857, and they located upon h 
farm. They are still living and reside at Dover, 
iu this county. Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson have be- 



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LEE COUNTY. 




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come the parents of two children — Gustavus W. 
and William H. Jlr. Jefferson is connected with 
the Baptist Church and his wife with the Methodist 
Episcopal. He is Republican in politics, and so- 
cially is Senior Vice-Coniniander of tlie (i. A. R., 
Lodge No. 34.5. 

II. KELLO(iG,of the firm of Kellogg Bros., 
of Keokuk, is one of the enterprising busi- 
ness men of the Gate Cit^', and in con- 
nectit)n with his partner is prosperouslj- engaged 
in carrying on a livery, sale and feed stable, located 
at No. 120 South Third street. The subject of this 
biograiihy is a native Hawke^'e, and was born in 
Decatur County, March 8, 1854. He is the son of 
Charles L. and Susan L. (Crippin) Kellogg, na- 
tives respectively' of New York and Ohio. 

Charles L. Kellogg emigrated from his native 
St;ite to Ohio in 1850, and engaged in fishing and 
farming. Five 3'ears later he crossed the Mississippi 
and came into Decatur County, Iowa, where he 
located upon a farm, and was engaged in agi'i- 
culture and stock-raising and shipping. In 1808 
circumstances arose which induced him to re- 
turn eastward, and he made his home in East 
Tennessee for the following four years. He then 
retraced his steps to the Hawke^ye State, and in 
1878 settled near Keokuk, where he engaged in 
fnrming until his decease, which occurred in 1884. 
The parental household consisted of seven children, 
viz: Fi"ed H., Bird C, Lucy L., Eugenia, Susan B., 
(irant P., and the siil>ject of our sketch. 

Mr. Kellogg of this notice remained with liis 
father's familj' through all their journeyiugs, in the 
meantime receiving a good education in the public 
schools, and assisting in the various duties around 
the home. After going to Tennessee with his par- 
ents he was engaged as clerk and student alter- 
nately, and was appointed by Lawrence Spears, 
County Director, as one of the fortunate ap])lieants 
to attend the East Tennessee University, a uiili- 
tar^' school locatetl at Knoxville. He received 
valuable instruction in tliis institution for tiie s|)ace 
of two years, and after his graduation went to 
• ^uincy, 111., where he was induced to go into the 



dairy business, which he followed with fair success 
for the succeeding four years. He then crossed 
the Father of Waters, and engaged in agricultural 
pursuits near the city of Keokuk, where he con- 
tinued for two j-ears, and then, in company with 
his brother. Bird C, engaged in his present busi- 
ness. 

The livery outfit of Kellogg Bros, is exceeded 
by none in the city. They keep about fifteen head 
of valuable horses, and their vehicles are stylish 
and comfortal)le. Their straightforward methods 
of doing business have won them the patronage of 
tlie best people in the city, and they are on the 
high road to a competency. 

Mr. Kellogg was married in 1870 to Miss E. R. 
Slee, daughter of Frank and Martha Slee, of (^uincy, 
111., and the household has been brightened by the 
birth of three children — Bryan, Charles and Freddie. 
The3" occupy a pleasant home at No. 323 South 
Fourth street, and enjo^* the friendship of a large 
circle of acquaintances. In polities Mr. Kellogg is 
Republican, and as a citizen he is activelj^ inter- 
ested in every good work and purpose calculated 
to be of benefit to his community. He has con- 
sideraljle property, being the possessor of six lots 
in Chicago, 111., and 1,250 acres of land in East 
Tennessee. 



/^Jft ICHAEL McDERMOTT Js SONS, of Keo- 
kuk, are extensive dealers in hard, soft 
and smithing coal, and carrj'ing on a suc- 
cessful and steadily increasing trade. Our 
subject is a native of Ireland, and was born Sept. 
1, 1812. His parents were Solomon and Mary 
(Clark) McDermott, also natives of Ireland, to 
whom was born a family of eight children, of whom 
the subject of our sketch was the seventh son. 

Michael McDermott remained with his parents 
during his earlier years, and in 1839 determined to 
seek ins fortune in America. He accordingly 
sailed for the United States, and after a prosperous 
vo^'age landed in New York City, afterward set- 
tling in Ulster County, in the Empire State. He 
engaged in the manufacture of cement on the Del- 
aware and Hudson Canal, and remained in the 
State for about five years. In 1844 he went to 



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306 



LEE COUNTY. 



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New Orleans and engaged in the sacking of grain, 
residing in that locality for fmir years. He then 
came up the river to Keokuk, and eiigaf,'cd in such 
employineiit as he could obtain, working industii- 
ously, and saving his earning.^, and finally accum- 
ulating sufficient means to set up in business for 
himself, which he eslal)lished on the levee in 1878, 
jind in wliicli he has since continued with gratify- 
ing results. 

Mr. McDennott was )narried in .New Orleans in 
183'J. Of this marriage five children were born, 
of whom the record is as follows: Marj', Mrs. Con- 
nelly, is a resident of St Louis; Ellen, Mrs. Rooney, 
lives at Savannali. Ind. Tcr. ; the third child was 
Charles; Frances, Mrs. Farrell, also resides at 
Savannah, Lid. Ter. ; Edward is tiie youngest son. 
He and his brother diaries are associated witli 
their father in business. Tiiey emplo}' about four 
men upon an average. 

The residence of Mr. McDennott is at Nt). 2(1.'5 
Fulton street, adjoining which are two other 
dwellings, of whidi he is tiic owner. He is a faith- 
ful adherent of the Catholic faitli of his fathers, 
and, with his two s<ins. niiiforinly votes with the 
Democratic party. 









-«- 

ILLIAM H. ORISWOLD, .lu., a leading 
farmer and stock-grower of Jefferson 
'^^' Township, owns ;ind occupies 200 acres of 
land on section 20. The lionicstead consists of a 
good brick residence with basement, and the build- 
ing is finished and furnished in excellent style. He 
has good barns and outhouses, valuable farm 
machinery and implements, and all the a[)pliances 
for carrying on agriculture and stock-growing in a 
first-class manner. Mr. (iriswi >ld makes a specialty of 
Clydesdale horses, of which he lias some of the finest 
specimens to be found in the Hawkeye State, and all 
his farm operations and business transactions are 
conducted with the method and despatch which 
are the sure forerunners of success. 

AL\ Griswold came to Lee County in tiie spring 
of LH.51, from Nauvoo, 111., wiiere lie had located a 
short time previunsly. He is a native of the Em- 
pire State, born in Wayne County, Aug. (i, 1 82i). 



His father, William H. Griswold, Sr., was a native 
of Herkimer Countj% the same State, of English S|} 
descent and New England parentage. In early 
manhood he was married in \\'ayne County, N. 
Y., to Miss Sallie Onderdonk, of Rockland County, 
who came with her parents to Wayne County in her 
girlhood. After the birth of eight children in the ffi 
latter-named county, where the father had been 
engaged in mercantile pursuits, they resolved to 
change their location and seek a home liev(jnd the 
Mississippi. The^' accordingly came into Iowa 
and located in Jefferson Township, Lee County, 
upon a good fai'in. A few years later ^\'illialn H. 
(Jriswold, Sr., was elected to represent this c<»unty 
in the State Legislature which then convened at 
Iowa City. At the expiration of his term of 
ollice ho returned to the farm and engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits while, at the same time, he Wiis 
pidminentl_v connected with the general and polit- 
ical affairs of his community. He served as Justice 
of the Peace and Deputy' Sheriff and filled other 
important jiositioiis in the county. He departed 
this life March 14, L'^8.5, at the advanced ;ige of 
eighty-one years. His wife, the mother of our 
subject, is }-et living on the old iioinestcad. Her 
birth occurred on the 22d of March, isio, mid she 
is conscquenth' now seventy-seven years old. She 
and her husband were active members of the Epis- 
copal C'hurch, and the latter, in his political beliefs, 
was a stanch supporter of the Democratic p;irty. 

William II. (iriswold, Jr., remained with his 
parents until he was twentj-two years old. He 
received his early education in his native county, 
came West with his parents before his marriage, 
and engaged in farming on his own account. He 
w.as married in November, 1S.')4, in Jefferson 
Townshiii, to iSIiss Sybilla Oberly, who was born 
and reared in Eaton, I'a. She received her educa- 
tion in her native town, and when a yoinig woman B: 
came with her parents to Ft. Madison. Her father 
Andrew Oberly, now deceased, was formerly a tan- §i 
ner, but during the last years of his life was 
engaged in farming. Mrs. Griswold dejiarted this 
life at lier home in Jefferson Township. .lune 2, 
1(^7;$. She iiad become the mother of four ehildren, 
three of whom aie living: Willard is at home with ► 
his father; Sallie is the wife of J.acob Arwarter. and ; 



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LEE COUNTY. 




they live in Jefferson Township; Oberly is at home; 
Anna was fatall3' burned when two years of age 
from a newspaper having been lighted by a candle. 
The second marriage of Mr. Griswold occurred 
in Jefferson Township on the 6th of May, 1S84, 
with Miss Lizzie Glancy. She was born in Cler- 
mont County, Ohio, July 6, 183(j, and came with 
her parents when a young woman to Lee County. 
Her father, Augustus C. Glane^', now deceased, 
was a farmer by occupation, and departed this life 
in Jefferson Township Aug. 21, 1S85. Her mother 
is yet living at an advanced age. Of this marriage 
theie lias been born one child. Mrs. G. is a meni- 
lier in good standing of the Baptist Church. Polit- 
ically Mr. (iriswold is a liberal Democrat, a gentle- 
man of sterling M'orth of character, and highly 
respected in his community. 



J ^-•I'-p- 



-^ 




K. WILLIAM A. GEOUXtK, editor and 
proprietor of the Keokuk Constitiitioi), is 
conducting one of the finest journals in the 
State of Iowa, and in all respects is on the 
high way to prosperity, and a name and rei)utati(m 
which will be remembered after he has laid down 
his facile pen and his place is taken \>y another gen- 
eration. The sul)ject of this liistor^'. a native of 
the Hawkeye State, was born in the village of 
Bonaparte, on the Des Moines River, in Van Buren 
Count}', Jan. (J, 18.5.5. His father, Dr. Oliver (t. 
George, was one of the leading physicians of that 
locality, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, 
and a gentleman highl}' esteemed socially as well 
as professionally'. He was born in Westmoreland 
Count}', Pa., in 1820, and after arriving at years of 
manhood was united in marriage with Miss Nannie 
Powers, a cousin of Hiram Powers, the noted 
sculptor. Mrs. Nannie George was born in Wind- 
ham County, Vt., and came from old Revolutionary 
stock. She was a lady of fine character and iiolile 
principles, and a fit companion for a man [lossessed 
of the talents of her husband. After their marriage 
the}' located in Olne}', 111., and in 18.51 came to 
Bonaparte, Iowa, where Dr. (ieorge, Sr., practiced 
his profession, and departed this life in-IH74. The 
mother is still liying, making her iiome in Keokuk. 



William A. George, of this sketch, at the com- 
pletion of a literary course of study, began reading 
medicine under the instruction of his father, and 
after m.aking suitable progress entered Bellevue 
Medical College in New York City, from which he 
graduated, taking the honors of his class. His 
diploma is from one of the few colleges in the 
United States which is recognized bj' European au- 
thorities. Dr. George, however, never entered pri- 
vate practice, but turned his attention to literar}' 
pursuits, which indeed seems to be the field best 
adapted to his talents and genius, and he is now 
considered one of the most brilliant journalists of 
Iowa. He is also a successful business man, and as 
a citizen has contributed materially to the credit 
and intelligence of his community. 

Dr. George was married in Hannibal, Mo., on the 
1.5th of September, 1886, to Miss Lucy Munger, of 
that city. Bishop Burgess, of (.^uincy, officiating. 
The parents of Mi's. G., now deceased, were of an 
old and prominent Vermont family, and her broth- 
ers are among the foremost citizens of Hanniljal. 
The many and flattering notices of the marriage of 
Dr. George by his brother journalists throughout 
the State, testify to his popularity and the esteem 
in which himself and his accomplished and talented 
lady are held. Mrs. G. is a lady of fine education, 
and most worthy and lovable traits of character. 

e~ APT. THEODORE DEAMUDE, a respected 
resident of Ft. Madison, is a native of this 
town, and was born Sept. 27, 1842. His 
father, Jonathan Deamude, was born in Licking 
County, Ohio, and was of French descent. He was 
raised in the county of his birth, served an appren- 
ticeship at the lil.acksmith trade, and remained a 
resident of the above-named county until 1836. 
He then set his face westward, journej'ing overland 
with teams. He was yet unmarried, and made his 
first location at Danville, 111., where he remained 
for.^jiie year, and then came to that jiart of the 
Territory of Wisconsin which is now the State of 
Iowa. He located upon the site of Ft. Madisou 
and remained there one year, engaged at his trade. 
He then opened a shop on his own accounl, and 





iC^aos 



LEE COUNTY. 



continued in business until 1854. Jn the meantime 
he made a claim three miles below the [)resent site 
of the town, abandoned blaeUsmithing, and adopted 
the pursuit of agriculture, wliicli lie followed the 
remainder of his life. Ilis decease uccuired April 
•20, 1871. 

Jonathan Deamude wa? lu.-irried in cnrly man- 
hood to Mi.ss Sophia Keliu.s, a native of Ger- 
many, and they became the parents of eight 
children, seven of whom grew to years of ma- 
turity. One son, Cornelius, was drowned at the 
age of eight years; Mary .1. became the wife of 
Thomas Bell, of Ft. Madison ; Sophia m;uried 
Lloyd Iviinliall, and lives in Sacramento, Cal. ; 
Katie became the vvife of Jefferson McKaig, who is 
no" deceased ; Margaret married John Marshall, 
and they live on the old homestead; Carrie and 
.Jessie are at home with their mother. 

The subject of our sketch, in his earlier years, 
assisted in the work of the farm and attended the 
district schools, lie remained under the |)arent:d 
roof until his father's death, and then look charge 
of the farm and <ji)erated it until the spring of 
1881, when he removed to Ft. Madi.son, and was 
engaged in various pursuits until 1884. lie then 
engaged with the Ft. Madison I'acket Compan}' to 
Uike charge of their ferr^-boat, plying between 
Ft. Madison and Appanoose, until 188.'). In Febru- 
ary of the following year he purchased the boat 
and operates it on his own account. He is a gen- 
eral favorite with river men and the citizens of his 
vicinity. Always obliging and accommodating, he 
is building uj) a |)rosperous business, the rcs<ilt of 
industry and merit. 



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AMlI/roN M. liI.A( K. <if .lack.son Town- 
ship, is industriously engaged in faiining 
pursuits on section 18. He has been a 
resident of Lee County since 1842. coming 
into low.'i while it was yet a Territory', and. in com- 
mon with the pioneer .settlers of that i)eriod, en- 
countering all the didiculties and privations of a 
pioneerlife. Ills homestead consists of l-JO acres of 
land, linely improved and inlti\ ateil. and in the 



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sunset of life he is peacefully enjoying the fruits 
of his early toil and industry. 

Mr. Black is a native f>f Kentucky, and was born 
March 28, 1810, his parents being James and Nancy 
(Clark) Black, natives respectively of Ireland and ; i 
I'enn.-^ylvania, both of Irish parentage and ancestry'. 
Their family consisted of four sons and four daugh- p 
tors, Hamilton M. being the sixth child. Our sub- ^ 
ject w^as a lad of si.x 3'ears old when his parents re- S 
moved from Kentucky to Indiana and settle<l in : 
Floyd Count3'. He remained under the parental roof 5 
until 1841, and then started for the farther West. : 
In cr<.issing the .State of Illinois he remained in :: 
Warsaw for five months, and then, in the spring of ; 
1842, crossed the Mississippi with his wife and two : 
children, and coming into l.,ee County, located in 3! 
Jackson Townshi|), purch.asing a tract of land which : 
is embiaced in the present homestea<l. At that : 
time this section w.as comparatively new^ and un- : 
cultivated, and Mr. Black, in common with his ; H 
brother pioneers, set about the improvement of his 
land and the establishment of a permanent home. 
He was eminently successful in his undertaking, 
and ere long received his reward in the pii'lure of 
smiling fields and growing grain around him, with 
fat farm stock, a comfortable dwelling-house, good fi 
barns and outhouses, and all the appliances of a ;■: 
first-class modern farm estate. 

The marriage of Hamilton .M. lilack and .Miss Mar 
tha .1. llollis was celebrated in Floyd Comity, Ind., ^jij 
on the stii of .June, 18.>7. Mrs. Black w.as the 
daughter of Lewis and Ilaney (Trueman) Hollis, ^i 
natives of Mrginia, and i)arents of a family of nine El; 
children, of whom the wife of our subject was the : 
next to the eldest born. Her l)irth took place near 
I.,ouisville, Ky., May 17, 18111. Slut was reared 
under the jiareiital roof, received a fair education 
in the common schools, and lived in her father's 
hou.se until her marriage. By her union with our ^.\ 
subject she has become the mother of ten children. pE 
whose history briefly is as follows: Lewis C. died 
Aug. 24. 18,52, at the age of fourteen years; .lames 
F. married Miss Sarah J. Laypt)rt, and died Aug. 
18, 1880, leaving his widow and two children — 
William and Hester; Mary J. is the wife of O. C. 
Sage, and resides in Clark County, Mo. ; Sarah A. 
is the wife of Capl. I'homas O'Bleneso, of Alexan- 



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Residence OF James lvirQuADE,Wii.LiAM St.,Keokuk. 



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ResidenceofOscar Prouty, Sec. 28.Jackson Township. 



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dria. Mo. ; Henry H. married Miss Carrie Parsons, 

and is a physician of Page County, Iowa; William 
N. is First Lieutenant of Co. R, 24^1 U. S. Lif. ; 
Caroline E. married John Haiseh, and resides in 
Page Count}-, Iowa; Ellen A. died .hine 4, 1«H(), 
at the age of twenty-six years; Olive E. and Fran- 
ces R. are at home with their parents, the latter be- 
ing engaged as teacher in the public schools. 

Mr. Black has been Townshiii Trustee for a num- 
ber of years, and has lieen prominent in matters' 
pertaining to the general welfare of hisconiinunity. 
He was a strong admirer (jf Henr}' Clay; he is now 
a stanch Republican. 



-*4^- 



-^ 




ILWARD H. ROGERS, one of the prosper- 
ous and influential farmers of Lee County, 
owns and occupies a fine homestead in Green 
Bay Township, where he has distinguished 
himself as a worthy and energetic citizen, and en- 
jt>ys tiie confidence and esteem of the people of his 
township. The parents of our subject were Thomas 
and Elizabeth Rogers, natives of England, where 
they were married and where the father engaged in 
mercantile pursuits. They remained in their native 
Elngland until the fall of 1 8.32, and then emigrated 
to the I'nited .States. They remained in New York 
City during that winter, and the following spring 
went to Delaware Countj', Ohio, the father living 
only a few months after their arrival there, his 
death taking place in .September, 1833. The mother 
survived her husband forty-nine j'ears. departing 
this life in (ireen Baj' Township, Lee Count}', at the 
residence of her son, Milward IL, .lune 23, 1882, 
at the advanced age of ninety-one years. She had 
passed a very eventful life, and had traveled much 
on the continent of Europe and also through the 
United States. She was a lady of tine mental cul- 
ture, her husband being also well educated. 

The parental household included ten children, 
of whom the subject of this sketch was the third 
in order of birth. He was born in the city of Lou- 
don, England, March 19, 18111, and attended the 
conunou schools of his native city until twelve 
years of age, which completed his education. His 
- parents then came to America. He was reared to 



farming pursuits, and engaged in agi-ieulture on his 
own account soon after coming to this county, in 
1840. His first purchase of land was forty acres 
on section 13, in Green Bay Township, of which he 
took possession in 1 843. He also purchased the 
spot of ground known .as Rogers Isl-uid, which con- 
tained aliout 32.5 acres, from which he cut the tim- 
l)er and sold wood to the steamers plying on the 
Mississippi River for about seven years, and then J 
sold the island. He has since lieen quite extensively 
engaged in the buynig and selling of land, in which 
transactions he has been remarkably successful. 
His homestead includes UOO acres, and the family 
residence is a fine brick structure, both tasteful and 
convenient, being the first of a series of buildings 
which are complete in all their appointments and 
admiiably adapted to the purposes of a first-class 
farmer. Mr. Rogers keeps about sixty head of 
cattle and twenty head of horses and mules. Every- 
thing about the premises is "ship-shape," and in \^^ 
good order, and the farm, with its appurtenances, t Dj 
forms one of the most attractive spots in this .Iw N. 
locality. A view of it will be found on another 
page. 

Mr. Rogers was married inCireen Bay Township, 
March 24, 1842, to Miss .Susan, the daughter of 
Shepherd and Ann (McDaniel) .lohnson. The par- 
ents of Mrs. R. were natives of Long Island and 
Pennsylvania respectively, and after their marriage 
settled in Hamilton County, Ohio. They crossed 
the Mississippi in 1840, and located in Green Bay 
Township, this county, vvhere the father died two 
weeks after tlieir arrival, Se|)t. I'J, 1x40. The mother 
only survived about four years, dying also in Cireen 
Bay Township, at the residence of her daughter, 
Mrs. Rogers, April 23, 1844. Of their sis children, 
.Susan, Mrs. Rogers, was the second, and born in 
Whitewater Township, Hamilton Co., Ohio, (Jet. 
21, 181il. She came to Lee County with her par- 
ents on the 19th of June, 1840. By her marriage 
with our subject she became the mother of eight 
children, of whom only four survive — Milward 
H., Jr., Johnson, (ieorge E. and Arthur. The de- 
ceased are Milward S., Monroe, Rebecca A. and 
Thomas. Milward H. married Miss .Sarah E. Fry, 
and resides in New Boston, III.; .Johnson married 
Miss Mary J. Graham, and they live on one of his 




312 



LEE COUNTY, 



father's farm.? in this towiij-hip; (ieorge E. married 
Miss Corfleliii M. Vogt.aml tiiey reside on a portion 
of tlie homestead; Arthur married Mis> Ida Marsh, 
and they likewise live on a portion of tiie home 
farm; Monroe married Miss Ann Berry, ami dieil 
In (ireen Bay Township, Aug. 2, I.hTO. 
.^=, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are worthy iiiemlier.> of tiie 
m3 Christian Cliurcii. in wiiieh our subjeet lui.s been 
Elder sinee the summer uf \><-lx. lie was elected 
Drain Commissioner and served twoyear?, and has 
also served as Township Supervis(jr. Me was made 
.lustiee of tlie Peace about tlie year l.sr)2. an<l lias 
iield tlie ottiee most of tiic time since. Politically 
lie is an uneompromisini;- i)enn)crat. Mr. Rogers 
lias witnessed many changes in the IlawUeye State 
during tlie last forty years, ami has contributed his 
full share toward her advancement and prospei-ity. 
Ill" has set a good exam|)le of thrift and industry, 
and is a liright illustration of what can be accom- 
plisheil by the exercise of resolution and persever- 
.'ince. 

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H.IId.lA.M BALidN(;EU, attorney at law, 
and President of the Keokuk Canning 
Works, is also manager of the same and 
Presiiient of the Western Packers' Canned (!oods 
Association. Mr. Ballinger is a native of Kentucky, 
born in 1H44, and the son of Frank and .lane (Ad- 
ams) Ballinger, also natives of the same State. The 
former was one of the leading attorneys of that 
*ectit>n, and .Indge of the Circuit Court for some 
year>. lie removed from his native State to Iowa 
in 1 «.■).'!. an<l located near Keokuk, where he re- 
mained until his death, which occurred in 1870. 
The mother of our snbjeet departed this life in 
1866. Of their family of thirteen children, seven 
are now living, the record of whom is as follows: 
n Frank M., of I^ee County, is a prominent and 
wealth}' farmer, and the proprietor of 1, ;')()() acres 
of land ; Wcbstei' is a leading attorney of Como, 
Col.; William lives in Keokuk, Iowa; .Jennie B., 
now Mrs. Rowell, is a resident of Kansas City, Mo.; 
yj^jj 'P t Madison A. is an attorney of Washington, D. C; 
Lucy is in Kansas City; Adams is a prominent 
railroad attorney, and a resident of Gallatin, Mo. 
William Ballinger, of our sketch, durin;j- his ear- 



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lier years lived in llarrodsburg, Ky., afterward 
removing with hi> parents to the Ilawkeye State, 
and remaining with iheni until he was eighteen 
years of age. He received his piimary edncalion 
in the public schools, and afterward giailuated from 
the college at Lexington, K}'. At the time his 
stu<lies were completed the late Civil War wa,- in 
l)rogress, an<l in 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 1 lUh 
Iowa \'ol. Inf. He went in as a private, then be- 
.cann' a non-commissioned otHcer, then Lieutenant, 
and remained in the service three years, participat- 
ing in all the engagements of his regiment, ami 
enduring with true soldierly fortitude all tiie vicis- 
sitinU's of war. lie was at the siege and capture of 
^■icksbul•g, and at the sieges of Mobile and other 
iiiil)ortant fortifications, and at the close of the war 
received an lionoralile discharge. 

,\fter his return from the arm}' .Mr. HuUiiiger re- 
sumed part of a course of stnd\' which had been in- 
terrupted thereby, and in addition comineneed in 
earnest the study of law under the instruction of his 
father, ne.ar Keokuk. He was admitted to the bar 
in 18()<S, and has been engaged in the practice of 
his profession in Keokuk since that time. He was 
appointed to his present position in 1 S84, and is 
the largest stockholder in the concern. 

In 1870 Mr. Ballinger was iiiiiteil in marriage 
witli Miss Ellen, daughter of William A. Conn, of 
Ohio, and of their union have been born four chil- 
dren — Mamie, Ella, Willie and Lees. Mr. B. and 
his family are established in a pleasant home at No. 
223 Morgan street, and their circle of friends and 
acquaintances embraces the best and most highly 
cultivated people of the (i.ate City. In politics 
Mr. B. is strongly Repuliliean, and socially is a 
valued member of tlie (i. A, R. 



-^-:>'^^^VHi^:5<^^ 




PUBLISKY, of West Point Township, 
is an important factor among the industrial 
interests of his community, being a general 
merchant and broom manufacturer, and is located 
on the south side of the public square. He estab- 
lished his business at this place in 1872, dealing 
then mostly in brooms, to which he afterward add- 
ed general merchandise, and since .Januarv, \x^''i, 



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LEE COUNTY. 



has operated successfully in his joint business. 
The produce of his manufacture is considered to be 
the best of its kind in tliis locality, from the fact 
that he obtains the highest market price. He is 
upright and straightforward in his business trausac- 
ions, and h.as gained a large circle of patrons and 
friends. 

Mr. Publisky is a native of Austria, and was 
born Sept. 4, 1851. His parents came to the United 
States when he was a child three years of age, first 
settling in New York whence, in 1870, they crossed 
the Mississippi, and coming into Iowa, located at 
West Point, which has remained their home since 
that time. They are both living, the father having 
attained the age of seventy-eight years, and the 
mother ten years his junior. Their household in- 
cluded six children, of whom the subject of our 
sketch was the fourth in order of birth. He was 
educated in New York State, and completed his 
studies in the Business College of Bryant & Strat- 
ton, in the city of Buffalo, where he afterward made 
his first venture in business and met with success. 

Mr. Publisky was married, Feb. 14, 1878, in 
West Point, to Miss Louisa, daughter of William 
Torley (see sketch). INIrs. P. was born and reared 
in Burlington, Iowa, and by her union with our 
subject has become tlie mother of five children — 
William, Eliuora, Louisa, Orville and Leon. 

Mr. P. has been a prominent man in his township, 
having served as Constable for some years, and was 
delegate from his county to the State Convention 
and the sole delegate of his township to the County 
Convention, these bodies being called in the inter- 
est of the Democracy, of which Mr. P. is a loyal 
adherent. 

EV. WILLIAM HENRY WILLIAMS was 

born at Argyle, Washington Co., N. \'., 
■lls\\\ Nov. 18, 1803. He descended from godly 

Puritan ancestry, and at the age of thir- 
teen united with the Associate Reformed Presby- 
terian Church in .Salem, N. Y. After studyhig 
three years in Columbia College, New Y'ork, he 
removed to Dickenson College, Carlisle, Pa., in 
order to enjo.y the high privilege of pursuing his 
senior studies under the eminent Dr. .loim M. 



Mason, then President of that institution. Here 
lie graduated at twenty years of age, receiving 
next to the highest honor; in the class of 1823. 

Mr. Williams pursued his theological studies 
under tlie beloved and revered Dr. Archibald 
Alexander, at Princeton, N. J., where after a full 
course lie was regularly graduated in 1820. After 
spending some two ye-Avs in the State of Georgia, 
in missionary work extending over a field of nine 
counties, he accepted a call to the pastorate of the 
Third Presbyterian Cluirch in Albany, N. Y., where 
he was ordained and installed bj' the Presltytery 
of Albany Dec. "J, 1828. But so great was his love 
for missionary' work, that after two years of pastoral 
labor there, in which he greatly endeared himself 
to his people, he relinquished a city pastorate, and 
chose the fatigues and privations of pioneer work 
in the South. In a history of this church, written 
years afterward, he is spoken of as "The beloved 
Williams, whose influence over the j'oung was 
equally powerful and salutiuy. and under whose 
ministry the church received signal tokens of 
divine favor." 

Going to Alabama as a missionary of the Ameri- 
can Sunday-School I'nion, Mr. W. was soon called 
to be the first pastor of the Presbyterian Cluirch in 
Tuscaloosa, a relation which he held from 1831 to 
1830. He not oiil}- perfornied the duties of this 
office most acceptably, Imt traveled thousands of 
miles during liis stay there, doing missionary work, 
and imiiartiug a knowledge of the (Josjiel in the 
then destitute portions of Tuscaloosa County and 
the counties adjacent. 

During this pastorate, our subject was married, 
June 20, 1832, to Miss Abby L. Wiiite, daughter 
of Hon. Phineas White, of Putney, Vt. At the 
urgent solicitation of the citizens of Tuscaloosa, 
then the capital of the State, he established, and 
for eight years conducted a Seminary for Young 
Ladies, long known as the "Alabama P'emale Insti- 
tute," which proved an ornament and a blessing to 
the town. One who well knew him, and liis work 
ill those long, past days, wrote from Alabama sot>n 
after his death as follows: "To the cause of educa- 
tion in this State, Mr. Williams gave an impulse 
tliat is felt to this day." But wliile warmly ;iltaclii(l 
to the people of the South, lie so <leprecated the 










314 



LEE COUNTY. 




influence of slavery upon the white race, that he 
\va.< unwilling to rear a farail}' in a social atniu- 
s|)hcre destitute of a proper recognition of the 
nobleness of toil. 

In the autumn of 1841, Mr. William^ tKcepted 
a call to the First Presbyterian Church of .lackson- 
yille, 111., where he remaineil for seven years. 
Here again his finished scholarship, and his experi- 
ence as an educator, together with the pressing 
needs of the Jacksonville Female Academy, led 
him to accept the principalshii) of that institution, 
a position which he most satisfactorily filled for 
five years. But the Macedonian crj- of Iowa to 
the States east of the Mississippi had reached his 
ear, and his ardent and generous nature made quick 
response. He accordingly removed to Keokuk in 
the fall of 184H, mid for the third time prosecuted 
tlie double work of preaching and teacliing. As 
stated supply of tlie First I'resljyterian Church in 
Keokuk, and as principal of a .Seminary for Young 
J.,adies. his influence for good was most efficient 
and salutary. After about eight years, the coming 
of his brother. Uev. Charles A. Williams, having 
relieved liim of the necessity of longer superintend- 
ing the school, he was at liberty to devote himself 
to that which was more distinctively missionary 
Work — the establishment of .Sabbath-schools and 
the oi-ganizing and supplying of new churches. 
The forniei- he did as agent of the American Sun- 
day-School Union, and the latter as Presbyterial 

the I'resby- 
more than 

twenty counties. From conviction, and by tempera- 
ment, he was a worker. Activity was liis element, 
usefulness his happiness. He was ever cheerful and 
indefatigable. To him to love, and be loved, by 
his fellow. beings, and to laboi- for their ui)lifting, 
was that which gave to life its highest value, its 
only completeness, and to these ends he gave liini- 
self with a self-forgetfulness rarely to be witnessed, 
with tireless assiduity and unflagging ardor. 

As a citizen of Keokuk, Mr. W. was public 
spirited, and ))rouipl .and generous in his aid of 
ever^- enterprise which, in ids view, promised to 
advance the prosi)erity of the city. Positive in his 
convictions, and intense in his feelings, scrupu- 
lously accurate in his dealings, and punctual in his 



hj M missionary for territory embraced by t 
Jr._R, tery of Keokuk, then e.vtending over 



habits, he had little patience with indolence and 
inefficienc3', and j'et so generous and tender were 
his .sympathies, that he welcomed every fellow- 
being to the embrace of his loving nature, and 
greeted and treated all with a gentleness andi-ordi- 
ality that were delightful. Deeply pious, and tiior- 
oughly polished, impartially- considerate and atten- 
tive to all his flock, he was a model pastor, and 
was greatly beloved. Delighting to feed the Master's 
sheep, he cared even more tenderly for the laml)s. 
Ilis last i)nl>lic labors in Keokuk were ministering 
in the hospitals during the war, as aid to his 
brother, then Militar}' Chaplain at this point. 

Finding at length that the incessant labors and 
extended traveling connected with the work ol 
Presbyterial missionarj', were rapidl3' and seriously 
exhausting his physical powers, and feeling that his 
u.sefulness might be prolonged by his occupancy 
of a more quiet sphere, he concluded to give up 
his beautiful home in Keokuk and accept a call to 
take charge of the First Presbyterian Church in the 
village of Peiry, 111. In the autumn of 1K()4 he 
moved his family to that place, and there labored 
zealously and successfully for six years. 

The intirmities of advancing years, however, and 
the hope that the climate of western North Caro- 
lina might save the life of a beloved son, Theo- 
dore S. Williams, ensign in the United States 
Navy, already in the first stages of consumption, 
led to the removal of our subject to that mountain 
region in the summer of 187<i. Locating at llen- 
dersonville, Henderson County, a high and healthy 
plateau, he continued to reside there until his 
death. Impaired ej'esight and failing health pre- 
\ented him from any longer engaging in i-egular 
ministerial work; but whether .assisting in social 
meetings and special services, whether as a volun- 
tary Sunday-school missionary or Bible distributor 
in those destitute mountain regions, or ministering 
tenderly at the bedside of the sick and dying, and 
in the house of mourning, it was, to the end, his 
delight and his life to be always aboiniding in the 
work of the Lord. This labor of love continued 
for six ye.ars. Having passed his threescore years 
and ten. and having led an intensely and sometimes 
doubly active life, his decline was at the last some- 
what rapid, and in acccadaucc with his oft ex- 



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pressed wish, soon after he ceaseil to lalior lie was 
ealled to his rest. He died Dee. 21. ISTC, aged 
seventy-three. His memor3' cannot cease to be 
cherished by many in Lee County who will forever 
thank (iod for the iiiflnence of his example and his 
preaching. His widow and six children survive 
him ; two of the latter are residents of this county, 
L. E. Williams. Esq., of Keokuk, and Chaplain C. 
F. Williams, of Ft. Madison. 

ONA.S RICE, one of the h<jnored pioneers 
of the Hawkeye State, is a resident of Wash- 
ington Ti iwnship, and is located on the ht>nie- 
stead of his father, which consists of ;iH.5 
acres of v.ilual)le land laying on section .5. He was 
born Nov. iH, 1823, and is a native of Hubbards- 
ton, Worcester Co., Mass., where he lived until 
al)Out four years old. His parents then removed 
to Templetou, and his life thereafter, until he was 
sixteen years old, was spent mostly among the New 
England hills. Then, in 1839, he accompanied his 
father's family to Iowa and to Lee Count}', where 
they settled in AVashington Township. Here his 
father purchased a claim embracing a quarter sec- 
tion of land, which constitutes our subject's present 
homestead, and upon which he has continuously 
lived since that time, engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. 

Iowa was still a Territory when the father of 
.lonas Rice crossed the Mississippi and selected this 
township for his location. The land was wild and 
unimproved, and neighbors were few and far be- 
tween. They were prepared, however, for any and 
every emergency, and set about the improvement 
and cultivation of their land with a courageous 
perseverance which met with abundant success. 
Jonas Rice was reared to habits of industry and 
economy, and w.as fully prepared to .assume the 
charge of the property which his father had ac- 
cumulated, when the latter folded his hands for his 
final rest. 

In addition to general farming pursuits Mr. Rice 
has been, to a considerable extent, engaged in the 
breeding of fine stock. He h.as a herd of about 
sixty-tive head of cattle, six valuable horses, and 



fattens al)out twcuty-ftvc head of hogs annually. 
The proceeds from these yield him a handsome in- 
come. He is also engaged in dairying, making a 
specialty of cheese. 

.lonas Hice and Miss Harriett N. Cowles were 
united in marriage at Ft. Madison, Iowa, June 14, 
184!). Mrs. Rice was born in Cattaraugus County, 
N. v., Oct. 22, 182H, and by her union with our 
subject has become the mother of six children: 
Hattie A. is the wife of William Beubow, and re- 
sides in Washington Township; Phiebe L. married 
Ml-. Ira Dow, als<i of Washington Township; Ida 
L. became the wife of G. H. Colvin, of Washing- 
ton Townshii); the others are Oscar J.. John G. 
.^ud Edward .1. 

Our subject and wife are prominently connected 
with tlie Christian Church, and |)olitically Mr. Rice 
is a stanch Republican and an earnest temperance 
worker. He is one of the foremost men in the pro- 
hibition movement in this locality, and is the earn- 
est supporter of sobriety and good order. He was 
a strong L'nion man during the war, and althougli 
not serving in the field, contributed generously of 
his means in assisting to support the cause and by 
his influence in keeping alive the sentiments of pat- 
riotism. As one of the earliest pioneers of this 
section, he is held in peculiar reverence, and his ex- 
cellent personal traits of character have secured foi- 
him the confidence and esteem of a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances. 



<if/ACOB FANKHOUSER, of Jackson Town- 
ship, is the owner of 100 acres of valuable 
land on section 17, upon which he has made 
I good improvements and established a com- 
fortable homestead. He is of Swiss parentage and 
! ancestry, the son of Daniel and Mary (Whaley) 
Fankhouser, and born on the Atlantic Ocean dur- 
ing the passage of his parents from their native 
Switzerland to America, M.ay .5,1819. They landed 
in Amboy, N. J., then came across the country to 
I Ohio, locating in Monroe County, on the Ohio 
River, and in that vicinitj' the subject of our sketch 
renin iaed until he was twenty-three years old, eu- 
' gaged in the occupation of farming. His parents' 



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LEK COUNTY. 



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* Henry Ilii-sc; J^(jiii.sa iiiairiefl John White; Lizzii 
aiKl Caroline are deceased; Lottie was the wife o 



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family consisted of fifteen cliildrcM. ten hoys and 
live gills, some of whom are now decea.sed. and the 
lialanee settled In Ohio. The parents are deceased. 
In ISl.i Air. F. of our sketch turned his face to- 
ward the farther West, and crossed the Mississippi 
into Chariton County, Mo., where he lived for the 
following four years, coming to Keokuk, Iowa, in 
1^ the year 1847. He located in that vicinity, and re- 
mained a resident there for nearly sixteen years, 
engaged in farming and dairying. In IHOS he 
came into .Jackson Townshii), and i>urchased the 
homestead upon which he has since resided, a 
view of which Is sho*vn on another page. 

The subject of our sketch was married in Mon- 
roe County, Ohio, Aug. ."), 1841, to Miss Anna 
I'.urgenthall, a native of his own country, who came 
with her parents to the I'nited States In 182(1. 
They became the parents of thirteen children, the 
record of whom is as follows: Mary is the wife of 

ie 
f 
William Lui)ton, and died, leaving two children- 
Ilanv ;in<l .Mamie; Pauline is also deceased; Ma- 
lissa is the wife of Edward IJreitenstein ; Julia mar- 
ried .lohn Beadles; the others are Millie, David, 
Addle, Lyda and Lucy. The wife of our subject 
departed this life July 16, 1886. .She was a mem- 
ber in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, 
as is also Mr. F. He Is a Republican in politics, 
and in all respects an honest man and a good citi- 
zen. 



lj(^_^ ON. PATRICK GIBBONS, Postmaster of 
the city of Keokuk, and a gentleman known 
far and wide for what he has done in the 
past as regards the upbuilding of the city, 
is a native of the Emerald Isle, where he first saw 
light June 20, 1832. While yet a resident of the 
land of the shamrock he attended the private 
schools, receiving a primary education, and supple- 
mented the same by an academical course at Lon- 
donderry. In 18,50 he sailed for the United States, 
and that same year took up his residence at Lib- 
erty, Ind., and about eighteen mouths hater went to 
Cincinnati, Ohio. There he accepted the position 






as manager for 



the wholesale 



liquor 



house of S. S. Boyle, and held the position until r 
18.")7. At the e.\pirati(jn of this time he started ■: 
West, seeking newer fields in which to obtain a 
competency. Crossing the Mississippi River he ter- 
minated his journe}' at Keokuk. 

Mr. (ilbbons on lirst locating at Keokuk engaged 
in the wholesale liquor business, and was thus occu- 
pied until 18(57, when for twelve years he retired 
from active labor. We next hear of him visiting 
the mountains of California, where his time was oc- 
cupied in pleasure for aljout two years and then, 
after spending two 3ears in Indiana, where his chil- 
dren were attending school, he once more returned 
to the cit}' of his adoption, Keokuk. Mr. (ribbons 
was elected to the State Legislature in 18G9, and 
while there was one of the prominent supporters 
for the State Ca|)itol, and was also projector of the 
bill for damage to baggage during transportation, 
as well as many other bills of interest to the travel- 
ing public and to the citizens of the State. He 
served on the committee on federal relations, 
schools and inter-national affairs. 

In 1882 our subject embarked in the stove busi- 
ness, next door to the post-office, and w.as thus en- 
gaged when he was appointed, under President 
Cleveland's administration, Postm.ister of the city. 
Mr. (ill>l)ons was one of the first to organize a pub- 
lic llbr.'iry at Keokuk, and was also a Director of 
that institution. He was likewise one of the cor- 
porators of the water- works. In 18G7 he erected 
on Main and Sixth streets a block known as the 
Oibbons Opera House, and the post-oltice is located 
in this block. Mr. Gibbons has for years beeu an 
extensive ojjerator in city property at Keokuk, and 
to him is attributable in no small measure the suc- 
cess, or rather the advancement, which the city has 
made during the last twenty years. 

Patrick Gib])ons was married to Miss Celestine Le- 
Faivre, at St. Louis, Mo., in 1802. She is a native of 
St. Louis, and has borne our subject seven children 
— John A., Cecelia A., Mary Celestine, Louisa, Pat- 
rick Henry, William F. and Charles. John is a 
physician; Cecelia became Mrs. Agnew, and is a 
resident of Keokuk. In politics Mr. (iiblioiis is a 
Democ-rat. He and his family are members of the 
Roman Catholic Church, and their residence Is 
pleasantly located at No. 81 1 Exchange street. Mr. 






rjHi-'riji 




LEE COUNTY. 



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(TJbbons is not onlj' one of the substantial and solid 
men of Keokuk and Lee County, but is a liberal 
giver to all benevolent objects. He is universally 
respected by all who know him, and is capable of 
holding any office within the gift of the people of 
his county. What he possesses of this world's 
goods he has made through liis own energy' and 
perseverance, and not as the reci|)ient of any 
legacy. 

OHN T. PERKINS, a prominent and es- 
teemed resident of the Gate City, is carry- 
ing on the business of an undertaker at No. 
2.0 Third street, Keokuk. Mr. Perkins is a 
native of Kentuckj-, and was born Oct. V-i, 1842, 
his parents being William B. and Sarah A. (Mc- 
Clahan) Perkins, both natives of Bracken County, 
Ky. The jjaternal grandfather of our suliject, 
Henry \. Perkins, was a native of Connecticut, an 
extensive farmer, and raised large quantities of to- 
bacco in his native .State. He afterward went to 
Louisville, Ky., where he engaged in the manufact- 
ure of medicines, and died in about IHoD. The 
maternal grandfather of our suliject was Elijah Me- 
Clahan, a native of Vu-ginia, who was als(t engaged 
in the cultivation of the tobacco plant. He and his 
wife became the parents of a large family, who af- 
terward constituted some of the worthiest and 
most wealth}' residents of the State of Kentuckj'. 
He departed from the scene of his earthly laburs in 
1835, and his memory was held in respectful re- 
membrance bj' all with whinn he had been a.s.so- 
ciated. 

The father of our subject, William B. I'erkins, 
was reared on his father's farm, where he remained 
until he attained his majorit}'. He then went to 
Brookville, the county seat of Bracken County, 
and was there engaged in the coopering business 
until after his marriage, wheii he removed to Lewis 
County, and in addition to his former occupation, 
became connected with an undertaking establish- 
ment. He is still living, but now carrying on his 
business alone. He and his wife are members in 
good standing of the Christian Church, and politi- 
cally ilr. Perkins casts his vote with the Democratic 
party. Their household consisted of eleven chil- 




dren, six of whom are deceased. The living are : 
John T. ; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Furman, _ 
of Mason County, Ky.; William .L, who is with | 
his brother, our subject, in Keokuk; Eliza, who lives 
in Kentucky, and \'inceut H., connected with 
Government store at Paris, Ky. 

John T. Perkins was the second child of thefam- ^^j 
ily, and remained with his parents until he was 
twenty years of age, attending school in the winter 
season and working on the farm in summer. In 
1863 he set his face westward, crossed the Missis- 
sippi, and located in Keokuk. He made his home 
with his uncle, ^'. T. Perkins, and engaged with 
him in the undertaking business, which he pursued 
for six years following. He then withdrew from 
his uncle's establishment, and associated himself in 
partnership with J. W. Johnson, the firm becoming 
J. W. Johnson & Co. They located on Third street 
and continued in partnership for nine years, or until 
I STO, when Mr. Johnson was accidentally killed. Mr. 
Perkins then jiurchased the business from the heirs 
and has since operated alone, and is doing the largest 
business of his kind in the city. 

John T. Perkins and Miss Henrietta Brown were 
united in marriage June 1, 1871, at Keokuk. Mrs. 
Perkins is a native of Louisville, Ky., and the 
daughter of Jeremiah Brown, of Kentucky. They 
have become the parents of two daughters — Lillie 
M. and Grace L. The family occupies a beautiful 
residence at No. (5-28 Franklin street, which was 
erecte<l in 1885. Politically Mr. Perkins affiliates 
with the Democratic party, and socially belongs to 
the A. F. & A. M. and L O. O. F. He is a stock- 
holder of the Keokuk City Opera House, and Presi- 
dent of the company. In connection with his 
brother William J., he became proprietor of his 
present business property in 1876. He is a straight- 
forward business man and held in the highest es- 
teem by his fellow-townsmen. 

^-i— * — t><s«-<i<i»>-fe>o — *— K» 

R. B. F. BAILEY, homeopathic physician, 
is one of the leading citizens of Keokuk, 
and as a practitioner occupies a high posi- 
tion. He has always been a close student 
and an extensive reader, and is credited with an in- 
timate knowledge of the duties of his profession. 





318 



m 
IP 

lii 



LEE COUNTY. 



Dr. Haik-y i- a n.itive uf Miciiigaii, .-iinl «;is liorii 
in the town of Troy, Oaklaiul County, Oct. 2o. 
1h:j(I. lie iji a son of B. F. an<l Maria (Hunting- 
ton) Bailey, his inotiier having been a dangiiter of 
Judge .lohn Huntington, of \'ermont. .Mrs. Maria 
Bailey- was also l)orn in Vermont, and departed this 
life in .Michig.an, May 1.5, l«GK. B. V. Bailey, Sr., 
was horn in Conneeticut. and survived his wife sev- 
enteen years, de|)arting this life in IS.S;'). He was 
engaged in the lumber business and farming, and 
the parental family consisted of three sons: Moers 
H., a civil engineer; Dr. B. K ., our subject, and 
yi William M., wlio is a physician .at Detroit, Mich. 
The younger years of our subject, after he had 
pas.sed his eiglith liirthday, wei'e spent in tlie woods 
of Michigan with his parents, three miles fioni any 
neighbor, where the^' lived until the beginning of 
the year 184o. His early schooling was obtained 
from his excellent mother, and at the date above 
mentioned he went to Eaton Rapids, where he at- 
tended school during the winter months and in the 
suiiiuici' assisted in the worU about his father's 
foundry and mill. At the age of fifteen years, 
with the sum of $3 in his pocket, he started to Oli- 
vet, Mich., to attend college. He studied during 
three sessions of nine months each, and during the 
tiiree months' vacation kept books for his father, 
lie also attended college at Albion for one year, 
but was obliged to abandon his studies for a time 
on account of failing health. He then went home, 
and in 1856 commenced the study of medicine un- 
der the instruction of Dr. W. W. Collins, at Eaton 
Kapids. During the winter of 18o7-.5H he at- 
ten<lcd lectures .at New York Cit}', and supple- 
mented the instruction here received by attendance 
upon two courses of lectures at the Western Home- 
opathic College (;f Cleveland, Ohio, from which 
he graduated in February, isou. 
. Dr. Bailey entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession at Bellevue, Mich., where he remained three 
years. From there tie went to lousing, and in 
1870 founded the Homeopathic College in that city, 
and lectured in the college upon the subject of 
Theory and I'r.actice and An;itomy for the space of 
four years. From Lansing he removed to Detroit, 
and wasapi)ointed by the .State Medical College to 
lecture on Theory and Practice, which he contin- 



ued for anothci' foui' years, and then returning to 
Lansing remained there until May, 188."). He was 
President of the Medical Society of Michigan in 
1871 and 1873-75, and was the author of the bill 
which provided for the establishment of the home- 
opathic department in the Cniversity of .Michigan 
at Ann Arbor. 

Dr. Bailey came to Keokuk in 1885, and at once 
engaged in practice in this eitj". His talents and 
ability obtained read}' recognition, and his future 
jiromises to be eminently successful. He w.as mar- 
ri(Hl in 18(!1, to .Miss Mary .1. Goodale, .ind by his 
union with this ladj' became the.father of one child, 
a daughter, Frankie J. Mrs. Mary Bailey departed 
this life in 187;i. In 1884 Dr. Bailey married for 
his second wife. Miss Emma Smith, of Lansing, 
.Mich. 

Politically the Doctor is a Jeffersonian Demo- 
crat. He belongs to the State Medical .Society of 
Michigan and the American Homeopathic Associa- 
tion, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a 
liberal-minded citizen, and always ready to con- 
tribute of his time and means for the promotion 
of worthy objects. 



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% ISILLIAM E\\ 
W^ ilucting his 









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ILIJAM EWERS, a highly res|)ected Oer- 
)f Keokuk, is successfully con- 
well-appointed meat-markets 
at 1122 Main street and on Fourth street between 
Main .and .Iohnstt)n, and is one of the straightfor- 
ward business men of the Gate Cit}'. He emi- 
grated from his native country in 1854, and for a 
time was engaged in Baltimore, Mil., in the butch- 
ering business, thence came to Keokuk in the fol- 
lowing year. He first opened a shop on the levee, 
removed from there to Twelfth street, and tinally, 
.as his business prospects enlarged, removed to his 
present quarters in 1878. Besides liis two sons he 
employs two other men, ami deals in only the lirst 
(pialit^v of meats. 

The father of our subject w.as a farmer in his na- 
tive land, ill which he passed his entire life. The 
parental household consisted of twelve children, of 
whom the subject of our sketch was the third in 



^^SZZ 




scsss 













LEE COUNTY. 



321 



;e 



order of birth. In accordance with the laws of his 
counti-y he was placed in school at the early age of 
six 3'ears, and remained until he was fourteen. He 
then served a three j^ears' apprenticeship at his 
trade, and was engaged in traveling the succeeding 
three years, when he entered the army, remaining 
in the military service from 1850 to 1853. Four 
years later he was united in marriage with Miss 
Annie Arnold, he having in the meantime become 
a resident of the United States. Their marriage 
took place in Keokuk, of which city Mrs. E. was at 
that time a resident. She only remained the com- 
panion of her husband about nine years, her de- 
cease occuring Aug. 30, 1866. She became the 
mother of three children, all living, as follows: 
Annie, Mrs. Walzam, is a resident of Warsaw, Han- 
cock Co., 111. ; William and Amelia are living with 
their father at home. 

Mr. Ewers was married a second time, Maj^ 28, 
1867, to Miss Annie Paffer, a native of Germany, 
and of this union there have been born nine chil- 
dren, viz., Frank, George, Pauline, Pulaski, Albert, 
Mary, Katie, Robert and Lawrence. They occupy 
a comfortable dwelling located on Main street, be- 
tween Eleventh and Twelfth, and rank among the 
highly respected residents of the Gate City. In 
politics Mr. Ewers uniformly votes with the Dem- 
ocratic party, and religiously he and bis family are 
loyal adherents of the Catholic faith. 



-^**^ 



..o*o.-fcj^<^-o4o~ 




APT. RUFUS GOODNOUGH, an honored 
resident of Montrose, and an experienced 
and skillful pilot of the Mississippi River, is 
a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, and was born on 
Christmas Daj', 1816. He is the son of Asa and 
Elizabeth (Brown) Goodnough, natives respectively 
of Vermont and Ohio. They were the parents of 
two children — Rufus, the subject of our sketch, and 
William. 

Capt. Goodnough turned his face westward in 
1828, crossing the river to St. Louis, Mo., where he 
embarked on the steamer " Warrior," and came up 
the river as far as Galena. The country at that time 
was wild and uncultivated, and he well remembers 
the solitude of the lonely scenery along the banks 



of the Mississippi upon which now stand flourishing 
cities, before which are anchored the proud and 
beautiful modern craft that now navigate the Father 
of Waters. During the Texan troubles, in 1835, 
he went to the Lone Star State, remaining about 
seven years, and afterward returned to St. Louis, 
where he engaged as a pilot on the Upper Missis- 
sippi, oceupj'ing this difficult and responsible posi- 
tion for the next twenty years. This included the 
date at which Ft. Sumter was fired upon by the 
rebels, and he resolved to enter the service of his 
country. With the assistance of Capt. Gallend he 
raised a company of volunteers, which became Co. 
H, 6th Iowa Vol. Inf., and was appointed First 
Lieutenant. He resigned his commission in the 
winter of that same year, and coming home pro- 
ceeded to raise another company, enlisting his men 
in the 30th Iowa Regiment, in which company he 
served as Captain until April 9, 1863. At this 
time, on account of ill-health, being afflicted with 
asthma and bronchitis, he resigned and received an 
honorable discharge. During his itiilitary career 
he participated in the engagements at Arkansas Post 
and Chickasaw and Mississippi Bayou. He was 
never wounded while in battle, but on account of 
impaired health is drawing a small pension from the 
Government. 

Capt. Goodnough was married in October, 1855, 
to Mrs. Nancie (Pierce) Hardisshell, an Arkansas 
lady. She remained the companion of her husband 
for a period of twenty-three years, and departed 
this life April 1, 1878. Of this union there were 
no children. He was the second time married in 
1880, the ladj' of his choice being Mrs. Lovina 
Wallace, widow of John Wallace, and born in Iowa; 
in 1840. Of this union there has been one child, a 
daughter, Fannie R., the date of whose birth was 
Aug. 21, 1881. 

Capt. Goodnough is represented in many of the 
societies and orders of the present day, and is a 
great favorite among his brethren of the different 
fraternities. He became a member of the A. F. & 
A. M. in 1856, and has filled the various offices of 
the Blue Lodge. He also belongs to the Royal Arch 
and Council degrees; is a member of Joppa Lodge 
No. 136, at Montrose, Iowa, and the Royal Arch 
and Council degrees in the Potowonock Lodge at 



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Ft. Madison. Iowa. He is also connected with the 
Cascade Lodge No. 6fi. f. O. O. F., at Montrose, 
and is a (iood Templar. Besides this, he is also a 
member of the Knights of Labor Lodge at Mon- 
trose, and of the Tip Best Post G. A. R., at Mon- 
trose. He also lu-longs to the .Sir Knights of the 
Palm and Shell, and the Cliaptej- of the Eastern 
Star. C'ai)t. (Joodnough is a member in good 
standing of llio Lpiscopal C'liiirfh of Montrose, to 
the support of which he contril)utes liberally and 
cheerfully. Besides his river interests he is the 
possessor of real estate inside the city limits of 
Montrose, and occupies a handsome and comforta- 
ble home. As a river man he is exceedingly' popu- 
lar, and as a townsman is held in high respect bj' 
his fellow-citizens. The ))ortrait of Capt. Good- 
nough. which accompanies this sketch, will be 
viewed with pleasure by his many friends. 



^-i-L^- 



■ip^.OBERT McHENRY, deceased, was an early 
llj^ settler in this part of the Hawkeye State, 
i^\Vi coming here while it was still a Territory, 
^^anil during a residence of over forty years 
built up for himself a name which will remain im- 
perishiible in the memory of the passing as well as 
the rising generation for long years to come. He 
was a man of noble impulses and kindly deeds, 
and left the impress of a worthy ch.aracter upon 
those with wiioni he came in contact. He came of 
stanch Irish ancestry, and inherited from his fore- 
fathers those generous qualities for which the Celtic 
race have so long been celebrated. He was a man 
slow to anger, generous to the faults of others, and 

I ;: I throughout his life endeavored to set an example 

^TtM worthy of iniiUition. 

The subject of our history was born in County 
Antrim, Ireland. Aug. h. 181.5. His father, Daniel 
McHenry, vras of Scottish parentage and descent. 
He emigrated to Ireland, settling in County Antrim 
for a few years, thence coming to the ITnited States, 
and died here only a short time after his arrival. 

^^S'n His son Robert, the subject of our sketch, w.is a 
youth of seventeen years when he came to this 
country, after the death of his father, and located 
in New York City. He was soon afterward appreu- 








ticed to learn the trade of stone-cutting and mar- 
ble-dressing, and afterward vtent to Philadelphia, 
remaining there until 1840. when he decided to 
seek his fortunes beyond the Mississippi. He came 
into the Territory of Iowa, and located at Ft. Mad- 
ison, being among its earliest settlers. He at once 
commenced to work at his trade, and was the con- 
tr.actor for building the walls and stonework of the 
Iowa Penitentiary. He became very successful in 
his operations in this line, in which he was contin- 
uousl.v engaged until within a few years of his death, 
when, on account of ill-health, he retired from act- 
ive labor. 

In 1871 Mr. McHenry went to California upon a 
visit to his sons, and upon his return in the fall 
of the year, removed to his farm in Xan Buren 
County, whence, after a residence of two years he 
returned to Ft. Madison, and folded his hands for 
his final rest on the 1st of August, 1 87;"). He was a 
prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, in 
which he had been an elder for thirty-four years. 

Mr. ^McHenry was twice married, the first time 
to Miss Isabella McLain, a native of his own coun- 
try, and also of Scottish ancestry. She became the 
mother of five children, .and dep.arted this life in 
18.52. Of her children, Daniel, Robert and Alexan- 
der were born in Ft. Madison; the two older ones 
live in California, and Alexander in Oregon. The 
daughters were Isabella and Letitia; the former be- 
came the wife of H. B. Thompson, of Lincoln, Neb., 
and Letitia married George Kemper, of Burlington. 

The second marriage of Mr. McHenry occurred 
on the 2.5th of December, 18,57, when he was wed- 
ded to Miss Letitia McLain, a native of County 
Tyrone, Ireland, born Aug. 8, 1829. Iler f.ather, 
Allen McLain, was a native of Scotland, and went 
with his parents when young to Ireland. He was 
there married, and remained there until 1834, when 
he emigrated to the United States, locating in Phil- 
.adelphia, where he spent the last years of his life. 
The maiden name of Mrs. McLain was Ann Neil, a 
native of Irel.and, of Scotch parentage. She died 
in her native country in 1832. 

Mrs. McHenry lived in Philadelphia until 1850, 
and then removed west to Ft. Madison. .She has 
one child living, a daughter, Vallie. Charles B., 
the only son, died at four years of age. Mrs. Mc- 



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Henry is prominentl}' connected with the Presb}"- 
terian Church, of which she has been a member for 
many j^ears. 

From an obituary notice of Mr. McHenry, writ- 
ten by a friend, and published a few days after his 
death in the Ft. Madison Plaindealer, we make the 
following- extract : ■• He was a man of strong re- 
ligious faith, strict morals, more than average intel- 
ligence, and sound judgment; was industrious, pru- 
dent and benevolent, a kind and loving husband and 
father, a true friend, and a just citizen in all re- 
spects." These words, from one who knew him in- 
timately, are more forcible than anything which 
could be written by the pea of the general biogra- 
pher, and without doubt are a most truthful de- 
lineation of his character. 



"iflAMES H. BACON is well known through- 
out Lee County as the proprietor of the 
beautiful Baj- View Farm, and one of the 
finest herd of Short-horns in the Hawkeye 
State, familiarlj' known as the Bay View herd. He 
occupies a part of the homestead established bj' his 
father before hini, which constitutes one of the 
prettiest spots in the landscape of this section, and 
in the prosecution of his agricutural pursuits and 
stock breeding, has been remarkabh' successful, 
the result of wise judgment and ample means. 

James H. Bacon is a native of the Prairie State, 
having been born in Macomb, June 13, 1849. His 
father, James H. Bacon, was a native of Nashville, 
Tenn., and his birth occurred July 19, 1816. His 
grandfather, Joseph Bacon, was a native of Ken- 
tucky, and a farmer by profession and training, 
making of this honorable calling a matter of pride 
and skill, and becoming remarkably successful. 
After leaving his native State he went to Tennessee, 
where he still followed agricultural pursuits, and 
thence removed to Illinois, becoming an earlj' set- 
tler of McDonough Count}'. He purchased a tract 
of land from the Government, from which he im- 
proved a farm, and gave a portion of the land for 
the site of the present town of Tennessee, naming 
the town after his native State. His farm joined 
the corporation, and he made his home there until 



his de.ath. He was a large-hearted, liberal-minded 
man, and thoroughly identified himself with the in- 
terests of his adopted count}', giving of his means 
to every good jjurpose calculated for the benefit 
of the community. The subject of our sketch now 
owns a part of that old homestead. 

James H. Bacon, the father of our subject, as- 
sisted his parents around the homestead and availed 
himself of the very limited opportunities for an 
education. He was a bright and studious boy, 
however, keenly observant, and obtained such books 
as he could for study by the evening fireside, after 
the close of his day's labors. As he passed from 
boyhood and began to do for himself, he split rails 
for the munificent salar}' of twenty-five cents a daj', 
and emploj'ed his evenings in study. He was in- 
clined to the medical profession, and at the age of 
eighteen years entered the office of Dr. Lester at 
Nashville, with whom he remained until competent 
to enter upon his practice. In 1 840 he returned 
to Illinois, and engaged in practice until 1851, 
when he removed to Ft. Madison, and followed the 
duties of his profession there for about ten years. 
He was remarkably successful and popular, and ac- 
cumulated considerable means. He then engaged 
in banking, and was thus occupied until failing 
health compelled him to retire. At the time 
of his death, which occurred June 20, 1882, he was 
the owner of 2,500 acres of land in Lee County. 
Most of it he had entered from the Government, 
and had also purchased tax titles, and while attend- 
ing personallj' to the banking business, he em- 
ployed men to improve his farms. 

In early manhood, James H. Bacon, Sr., was 
married to Miss .Sarah Coffman, who died on 
Christmas Day. 1878. In addition to his other 
duties, Mr. Bacon, who was of a deeply religious 
turn of mind, was closely connected with the 
Christian Church, and was a preacher in that de- 
nomination for many years. He is well remem- 
bered in this county as a man of great force of 
character, with peculiarly clear and intelligent 
views upon all subjects. He was a deep thinker, 
and had the rare gift of expressing himself in an 
impressive and pleasing manner. 

The subject of our sketch was a child of only 
two years old when he came to Ft. Madison with 




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his parents. He received careful parental training 
at home, and his primary education in the city 
schools. At the a<re of fourteen years he entered 
Abingdon College. at Abingdon. III., and graduated 
from that institution in 1m7(). His first business 
venture consisted of a stock of hardware, which 
he opened at Kt. Madison, and at which he con- 
tinued for eighteen months, when he sold out to 
engage in tlie grocery business at Burlington, Iowa. 
This he abandoned after eighteen months, and 
then returned to Ft. Madison, settling on a tract 
of land which i.=i now known as Bay View Farm. 
The farm contains 1,320 acres, and is located eight 
miles northeast of Ft. Madison. His operations 
are chiefly among the Short-horn cattle, and Ham- 
bletonian and Clydesdale horses. His herd of 
ijhort-horns numbers about 100 head. They are 
thoroughbred, and for lieauty and symmetry will 
compare with any iierd of cattle west of tiie Mis- 
sissippi. Upon the farm stands a handsome resi- 
dence, with first-cl.ass barns and out-buildings, and 
all the appliances necessary for the carrying on of 
agriculture and stock-breeding in a first-class man- 
ner. The stables for horses and cattle are cleanly 
and well ventilated, and finely calculated for the 
uses to which they are adapted. Bay View Farm 
is visited bj' people from far and near, who come 
to admire its natural beauty of location, and the 
system and order with which its simplest oper- 
ations are conducted. It is a model in every way, 
and rctlects great credit upon its owner, who is 
likewise its main head and superintendent. 

James II. Bacon was united in marriage with 
Miss Lizzie JI. Case, May 10, 1871. She is the daugh- 
ter of Mourton and Louise (Cumming) Case, a 
sketch of whom is given in another part of this 
volume. Mrs. Bacon is an intelligent and highly 
accomplished lady, and has become the mother of 
two children, a son and daughter, James M., born 
July «. 1H72, and Alpha, Jan. 1, 1874. Mrs. Bacon 
is a member in good standing of the Episcopal 
Church of Ft. Madison. Mr. Bacon i)oliticall3', 
aHiliates with the Democratic party, and casts his 
vote to uphold the principles of that part}-. He is, 
in .all respects, a vahied citizen of the Hawkeye 
Estate, and has materially aided its industrial inter- 
ests as well as its progress educationally. 

Ek^PH. _ ._. , 




ERMAN BRINCK. a highly respected citi- 
zen of West Point, is successfully engaged 
in general merchandising, and since his es- 
tablishment here in 18.50 has commanded 
the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 
He has a good underst.-uiding of blacksmithing. and 
in 18.')8, in partnership with another man, was en- 
g.aged in the drug business. He was unfortunate, 
however, in his selection f>f a partner, by whose 
unserupulousness he met with great loss. He was 
not discouraged, however, but gathered up his 
broken fortune in the best manner he could, again 
started at the fot>t of the ladder, and is now mak- 
ing good strides toward the top. 

The marriage of Herman Brinck and Miss Mar- 
garet Dingman was celebrated in 18,iS(. Two years 
later, with a small capital of $1,.500, he purchased 
a stock of general merchandise. In 1804 he secured 
possession of the West Point Flour Mills, which he 
successf nil}' operated, and the following year estab- 
lished a pork-pncking business, wliich he carried on 
profitably, and a year later established the brewery 
at this place, and did a business of $125,000 
j'early. At this time, owing to the changes brought 
about by the building of the B. & S. W. R. R., 
contiguous to this vicinity, business of all kinds re- 
ceived a great set-back, and ;Mr. Brinck suffered a 
great loss in common with his neighbors, and it 
finally became necessarj' for him to abandon all his 
projects except his trade in merchandise. The 
failure to have this road built through West Point 
was the greatest disaster that ever occurred to the 
people of this vicinity. Before this the village had 
ever}' indication of becoming one of the foremost 
business points in the county, but now, with the 
exception of a few men of grent energy and enter- 
prise, its progress is practieall}' at a standstill. Mr. 
Brinck bore his disasters with manly cour.age, in 
due time recovering from the effects of them, and 
by his straightforward business methods h.as se- 
cured a large circle of friends and patrons. He 
carries about ?< 12.000 stock, from which he receives 
:i fine income. 

Mr. Brinck is a native of the German Empire, 
and was born in the little Kingdom of Hanover, 
Sept. 13, 1832. He was a child of eighteen months 
when his parents emigrated to the United States, 




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LEE COUNTY. 



first locating in New York City, and comparatively 
without means. The first money they secured was 
iSil given them for a small pair of wooden shoes 
belonging tu their son, our subject. These were 
subsequently purchased by a gentleman who wished 
to preserve them as curiosities. Later, the father 
secured work, and the mother became engaged in 
cooking for railroad men, and thej' thus earned 
enough money to get to Pittsburgh, Pa., where in 
due time the father started tlie third match factor^' 
in the United States. He gave it the name of 
Locofoco in honor of one of the political factions 
of that time. He was thus occupied for four years 
with success, and secured enough capital to cross 
the Mississippi and establish a similar factory at 
St. Louis, Mo. This was in 18.39. When they had 
got within thirty miles of their destination, the 
l)oat caught fire and burned up, and the father, 
with |;-1:,000 in gold on his person, was drowned ; 
the treasure went to the bottom, and was never re- 
covered. In connection with this catastrophe the 
f.amily lost all their belongings, both clothing and 
furniture, the mother and two children barely es- 
caping with their lives, the mother's clothes having 
already taken fire as she was being rescued and 
taken onto another boat. The steamer destroyed 
was the " McNevel," and accounts of the disaster 
were widely published in papers of the East. 

The stricken and widowed mother and her two 
children were landed in St. Louis entirely destitute. 
Mrs. Brinck was compelled to put our subject in an 
orphan asylum, and obliged to earn her own living 
bj' washing. Her bereaved condition and worthy 
character soon obtained for her friends and helpers, 
and in due time she recovered from the terrible 
disaster of her lifetime. She was finally married to 
Mr. D'Lampe, a blacksmith by occupation. They 
removed near Hanover, 111., and our subject was 
taken from the asylum and joined his mother and 
stepfather at their new home. 

After a time the familj' returned to their na- 
tive countrj-, where they remained for a period 
of three years. They then set sail again for 
America, and returning to Illinois, settled at t^nincy , 
where thej' remained for three years, and then 
went to Dubuque County, Iowa. After our sub- 
ject had attjiiued his majority, he came into West 





M 



Point, and two years later was joined by his mother 
and stepfather, who remained there until their 
death. 

Mr. Brinck was married at West Point, Jul3^ 5, 
1859, to Miss Margaret Dingman, who is a nativer ^SSj; 
of this place, born in 1843. She was reared and 
educated here, and lived in the vieinit}' until her 
marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Brinck have become the 
parents of thirteen children, of whom one is de- 
ceased : Theodore is engaged as a clerk in his fa- 
ther's store; Henry is a book-keeper in the whole- 
sale house of Lesem & Co., at Quincy, 111.; Mary 
is engaged in the millinerj' business in her father's 
store; Elizabeth is at Cincinnati, Ohio, with rela- 
tives; those at home are, Anna, Louisa, Rosa, Ber- 
nard, Josephine, William, Alice and Edward. 

The family is connected with the Roman Cath- 
olic Church. Mr. Brinck has been a prominent 
man in this vicinity, and takes a lively interest in 
all matters affecting the welfare of his township and 
count}'. He has been Mayor of the citj- for two 
years, and President of the District Fair, which em- 
braces four counties. He is always willing to con- 
tribute of his time and means for the promotion of 
everj' worth}' object, and in all respects is ful- 
filling the duties of a good citizen. 



HI 
Mi 



^^^ VON DER HAAR, a successful blacksmith 
III ,-— , and carriage-maker of West Point Town- 
^^ijj ship, is a native of Hanover, born Jan. 4, 
1 s43, and came to the United States when a young 
man, iu 181)6. After reaching American shores he 
remained for a brief time in Chicago, then pro- 
ceeded westward, crossed the Mississippi and came 
into Ft. Madison, arriving here on the 3d of No- 
vember. In the December following he started in 
business as a blacksmith and carriage-maker, and l^ 

successful from the start. His father and 
grandfather before him were expert in the same 
calling, and their mechanical skill seems to have de- 
scended to their representative in a remarkable de- 
gree. He had two uncles also, who followed black- 
smithing, one of them especially being celebrated 
as possessing more skill at his trade than anj' man in 
that section. 
The parents of Mr, Von der Haar spent their entire 



I was 



1 




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lives in their native countrj', and were there laid to 
their final rest. Our subject received his early in- 
struction in blacksmithing under the tuition of his 
father, and when he had determined to emigrate to 
the United States he set out unattended by either 
relatives or friends. In 1 HGT he was married, in 
Iowa County, Wis., on the 9th of February, to 
Miss Christina Lambert, of (ialena, III., and born 
in 1850. Her father, a merchant, was of (ierman 
parentage and descent, and came to this countrj' 
when a j'oung man, before his marriage. After 
this event he made his home in Gal-ena for some 
j'ears, and then removed to Wisconsin. 

Mr. and Mrs. Von der Haar are the jjarents of 
eight children, five sons and three daughters, as fol- 
lows: Joseph, Henry, William, Adeline, Bennett, 
Margaret, George and Mary. Mr. V. is the owner 
of valuable property, which includes twenty-four 
lots, most of them being supplied with good build- 
ings. His business is conducted with discretion 
and judgment, and the i)roducts of his shops are 
second to none in the Ilawkeye State. He is a 
prominent man in his community and a ^'illage 
Trustee. Politically he casts his vote with the 
Democratic party, and the various members of the 
family are connected with the Catholic Church. 



^'SHQ'^f^^ 



^:^^}/3'2f^*^ 





RANKLIN HAKSHMAN began mercantile 
™^j life in Preble County, Ohio, but is now a 
jt^ prosperous and successful farmer, occupy- 
ing a fine tract of land in Montrose Township 
on section 10. He is a native of the Buckeye State, 
having been born in Butler County on the 80th of 
October, 1823. His parents were John and Susanna 
(Pence) llarshman, natives of Rockingham County, 
Va. The father, born in 1791, departed this life 
May 7, 1850, in Preble County, Ohio, to which 
place he had emigrated from his native State in 
I early manhood. He was a farmer by occupation, 
highly respected in his community, and a member 
in good standing of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. 
Susanna llarshman was born June 19, 1798, and 
married in 1820; she became the mother of five 
children, and died April 1, 1804, having survived 



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TSSSSi 




her husband fourteen years. The record of their 
children is as follows: Rebecca J. became the wife 
of Arthur Duflield; F'ranklin. of our sketch, was 
the second child; Daniel W. married Mary J. 
Curry, and is now deceased; William married Miss 
Elizabeth Clawser, and is living in Missouri; Mary 
A. died in infancy. 

Franklin llarshman was united in marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth Tweedy in 1851. Mrs. H. was born 
in Butler County, Ohio, March 15, 1830, and is the 
daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Morrison) 
Tweedy, natives of County Down, Ireland. The 
former was born in 1790, emigrated to the United 
States, and located in Butler County, Ohio, where 
he passed the remainder of his life, his death occur- 
ring in 1870. Mrs. Elizabeth Tweedy was born in 
1787, and preceded her husband to the better land 
twenty -seven years, dying in 1843, after having 
become the mother of nine children, as follows: 
Elinore, Andrew, Jane, Marj', Grizella, John, 
Jane, Nathan and Elizabeth; Jane and Marj' are 
deceased. 

Mrs. llarshman was the youngest member of her 
parents' family, and bj' her union with the subject 
of our sketch has become the mother of five chil- 
dren : John D.. born Dec. 21, 1852, married Miss 
Mar}' Elizabeth Bliss in 1877, and became the 
father of four children — Willie died at the age of 
seven months; Fletcher G. was born Sept. 7, 1880; 
Clifl'ord, born Feb. 7, 1883, died Sept. 24, 1885; 
and an infant died unnamed. Robert T., born Oct. 
25, 1854, is now living in South America; Iluldah 
was born Aug. 10, 1861, and is a graduate of Penn 
College at Oskaloosa ; Frank X., born Aug. 17,1 863 ; 
William D., now a resident of St. Paul, Minn., was 
born Feb. 13, 1866. 

The homestead of Mr. llarshman consists of 160 
acres of highly cultivated land, a fine farm dwell- 
ing, good barns and outhouses, equipped with all 
the conveniences for the raising of stock and the 
storing of grain. He has been a resident of the 
Hawkeye State since 1855, removing his family 
here the following year. Besides the ordinary 
duties of the farm, he is largelj' interested in stock 
breeding, and has shipped many cars of cattle and 
hogs to the Eastern markets. He has a number of 
thoroughbred horses, .nnd exhibits some of the fin- 



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est colts from Hambletonian stock to be found in 
this section of the countiy. 

Mr. Harshmaii has been a prominent man in his 
community, and has held various offices of the 
township. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. 
in good standing, and has attained to tlie Com- 
raandery, having held the various offices of the in- 
tervening lodges. As a man and a citizen, he is 
faithfullj' performing his duties in life, and enjoys 
the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 

yW. .JAMIESON, Superintendent of the 
City Schools of Keokuk, is descended from 
an ancient Scottish family, although of 
Penusylvauia parentage. He was born in Washing- 
ton Count}', Pa., Oct. 11, 1824, and is the son of 
Robert and Jeane (Hill) Jamieson, natives of Wyo- 
ming, Pa. His father was a farmer by occupation, 
a large landed proprietor, and in addition to his 
agricultural pursuits, was interested in the breeding 
of fine horses and sheep. The parents of our sub- 
ject departed this life in 1*^32 and 1H29, respect- 
ively. They were most worthy and excellent 
people, and members of the Associated Synod of 
North America. Their familj- of five children 
received careful home training and a fair education 
in the public schools. 

Supt. Jamieson remained on his father's farm 
until he was twelve years old, receiving his primary 
education in the district school. He then pursued 
his studies in the Classical School at Wheeling, W. 
A'a., where he remained for two years, and then 
entered Washington College, Pa., from which insti- 
tution he graduated in 1S51. In the meantime he 
also engaged in teaching, and after his graduation 
became preceptor of the Monongahela Academ}' at 
Morgantown, W. Xa.., which position he occupied 
for three years. It now seemed advisable to change 
his occupation and he became engaged in merchan- 
dising and the purchase and sale of wool, which 
business he followed for three years in Washington 
County, Pa. 

Prof. Jamieson, however, seemed admirably 
adapted as an instructor and educator, and in April, 
1858, he crossed the Mississippi, came into Keokuk, 



and organized the Keokuk Classical School of this 
city, where he occupied the position of teacher and 
manager continuously for ten years. During this 
time he had become deeply interested in all matters 
pertaining to the welfare of the cit}- schools, and 
developed a remarkable aptitude as an instructor 
and leading spirit. He was appointed Superintend- 
ent of the city schools July 1, 1868, and has held 
the position since that time, having been also 
appointed Secretary of the City School Board April 
1, 1879. He is possessed of excellent judgment, 
and fulfills the duties of his responsible position 
with credit to himself and satisfaction to all con- 
cerned. 

The marriage of Prof. Jamieson with Miss Mary 
McCall Stewart was celebrated in Washington 
County, Pa., in 1851. Mrs J. is the daughter of 
William Stewart, of West Virginia, and a ladj' ad- 
mirably adapted to be the companion of a gentle- 
man possessing the talents and the cultivation of 
our subject. Prof. Jamieson occupies a fine dwell- 
ing at the corner of Eighth and Blondeau streets, 
which he erected in 1863. The homestead is replete 
with the appliances of refinement and cultivation, 
and is the resort of the best people in the city. 
The Professor and his wife are members in good 
standing of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics 
our subject affiliates with the Republican party. 





^#^ 



-v— 



^ 



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R. ¥. W. WYMAN, a successful practic- 
fi ing physician of Keokuk, is a native of 
the Hawkeye State, and was born in Bona 
parte in 1848. He is the son of Dr. R. H. 
and Susan (Moore) Wyman, natives of New York 
and Pennsylvania respectively. Dr. W3'man, Sr., 
emigrated from his native State in 1842, and set- 
tled in Bonaparte, Iowa, where he engaged in the 
practice of his profession. He was a graduate of 
the Philadelphia Medical College, and after com- 
ing West became a member of the State Medical 
and 'the Keokuk Medical Societies. He removed 
from Bonaparte to Keokuk in 1851, and became a 
prominent resident of the city. He was Alderman 
of the First and Third Wards, a member of the 
Masonic fr9,ternitj>- ajid of the I. (). (). F, He was 





.3-28 



lep: county. 



1, 



also Treasurer of the Damascus Commanderj' of 
Keokuk. In company with Dr. John F. Sanford, 
he established an eye and ear infirmary in this 
city, and obtained considerable reputation for his 
skill in these specialties. His death occurred in 
February, 1881. The parental household consisted 
of four children, all of whom are living: Jessie H., 
now Mrs. Carver, is a resident of Chicago; Laura, 
Mrs. Maxwell, lives in San Francisco, Cal. ; Mamie, 
Mrs. Williams, is in Chicago, as is also tlie mother 
of our subject. 

Dr. Wynian of our sketch received his early edu- 
cation in the citj' schools of Keokuk, and later at- 
tended the college at Notre Dame, Ind., where he 
took a three years' course and graduated in 1879. 
He then engaged in the drug business in Keokuk, 
and took up the study of medicine under the in- 
struction of his father. He subsequently entered 
upon a course at the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, from which he graduated in 1870, when he 
entered upon the practice of his profession, in which 
he has been continuously engaged since that time. 
He has been County Physician for the last six 
years, is a member of the Keokuk Medical Society, 
and also belongs to the Druids. His office is lo- 
cated at No. 10 Third street, and after a success- 
ful practice of ten years he has gained the full con- 
fidence and esteem of his communitj'. 

Dr. Wyman uniformly casts his vote with the 
Democratic party, and is thoroughly interested in 
everj^ question pertaining tr) the welfare of his lo- 
cality. He is esteemed by all as an intelligent and 
valuable citizen, and enjoys the resjiect and esteem 
of his fellow practitioners. 



liil 



m 



^^^ERHARD SANDERS, a successful farmer 
jll g-p and cattle dealer of Marion Township, is 
^^5) one of the most prominent and intelligent 
residents of this section, and in his department of 
the business world has uniformlj' met with success. 
He is one of the factors of that useful element 
which has contributed so much to the development 
and prosperity of the Great West, having been born 
in the Empire of (iermany, and descended frimi a 
line of excellent ancestry. He lii-st opened his eyes 



_ . ^ 

to the light in 1840, and in accordance with the z,\ 
laws and customs of his native land, was placed in E j; 
school at the early age of six years, and continued :;} 
until fourteen. He was then employed upon a farm, 
following agricultural pursuits for three years in his 
native countr3\ When seventeen years old, not 
being satisfied with his condition or prospects in 
the land of his birth, he resolved to emigrate to the 
New World. He accordingly boarded a sailing- 
vessel, and after a prosperous voyage landed in the 
city of New Orleans. From this place he came to 
Ft. Madison, Iowa, and thence to Marion Township, 
where he resumed his old-time occupation on a ^|j{ 
farm, and followed this for nine years. 

Upon arriving in Marion Township, in 1857, j 
Mr. Sanders was in debt to the extent of ^'S6, which 
he borrowed from a friend in Ciermanj' before sail- 
ing for the United States. This debt he paid in 
full, and in 18ij8, after having worked industriously 
and saved his earnings, he found himself with suffi- 
cient means to purchase a small tract of land. He 
secured thirty-five acres, and began farming on his 
own account, applying himself diligently to the 
improvement and cultivation of his land, and was B| 
rewarded with success. As his means accumulated 
he added to his first purchase, and is now the 
owner of 280 acres, all finelj' improved and in a 
high state of cultivation. This is situated on sec- 
tion 7, and with its handsome farm residence, good 
barns and out-buildings, and tasteful surroundings, 
forms one of the prettiest spots in the landscape of 
Lee Count3'. A portion of his land is devoted to 
pasture, and he fattens from tw(j to three carloads 
of cattle annually. Of these he now has a herd of 
forty head, and exhibits some of the finest animals Ep 
in this section. He has also been very success- 
ful in raising hogs, and although the cholera has 
raged among the farmers around him his animals 
have happily escaped the scourge for the past seven 
3-ears, owing probably to the good cai'e taken of 
them and their cleanly surroundings. 

Besides the barns and cattle-sheds on the farm 
of Mr. Sanders, he has a costly and valuable wind 
pump for hoisting water for his stock and for other 
farm purposes. He is the principal stock shipper 
of his township, and the pri>ceeds of his operations 
in this branili of agriculture yield him a han<lsome 




.iJL HKH»*1 



cSi 






income. He has not been without his drawVjacks, 
having for a period of eight years been in feeble 
health, but finall}' regained his strength and pros- 
pered as before. 

The marriage of Gerhard Sanders and Miss Mary 
Huchton was celebrated in St. Paul, this count}', 
in 1866. Mrs. Sanders is the daughter of Christ 
Huchton, one of the pioneer settlers of J^ee County, 
and was born in this count}" in 1852. She is a lady 
of rare virtue, greatly esteemed in the community, 
as au excellent wife, mother, neighbor and friend. 
Of her union with our subject there were born eight 
children, six boys and two girls — Maggie, John, 
Mary, Joseph, Henry, William, Barney and Christ. 
Mr. Sanders and his family are members of St, 
James' Catholic Church at St. Paul. In politics he 
votes the Democratic ticket. A lithographic view 
of Mr. Sanders' residence is shown on another page 
of this volume. 

^ ^^-^-^^^ 



'■■s 




H. NICHOLS, a popular contractor and 
builder, of Keokuk, comes of warm-hearted 
rish stock, although a native of the Key- 
stone State. The date of his birth was Oct. 5, 1831, 
and he is the son of James and Sarah (Hamilton) 
Nichols, natives of the Emerald Isle, who emigra- 
ted to America in 1831, and settled in Pennsylva- 
nia. James Nichols was a farmer by occupation, 
and was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his 
life, which terminated in 1884. The wife and 
mother had preceded him to the better laud in 
1882. Their family consisted of four children — 
William H., John, James and Mary J. The three 
last named live in Pennsylvania. 

William H. Nichols remained under the parental 
roof until he was eighteen years of age, in the 
meantime receiving a practical education and as- 
sisting in the labors of the farm. He then left 
home and served an apprenticeship of three years 
at the carpenter and joiner trade, in Greensburg, 
Westmoreland Co., Pa., and then, turning his steps 
westward, he crossed the Mississippi and came inco 
Keokuk, where he located and determined to estab- 
lish a permanent home. He was skillful as a me- 
chanic, and soon established a business which has 



now grown to extensive proportions, and gives em- 
ployment to from six to twelve men. 

Soon after coming to the Gate City the evident 
talent and enterprise of Mr. Nichols obtained ready 
recognition, and he was marked out as one fitted top 
become a leader in the community. He has been i 
actively interested in every W(jrk and purpose cai 
culated to benefit his city or county. He is serving' 
his second term as Alderman of the Third Ward, 
and is a stockholder in the Lee County Loan and 
Building Association. Socially he is a member in 
good standing of the I. O. O. F., with which he has 
been connected since 1854, being now the Treasurer 
and Past Grand, and has held all the offices of the 
lodge in this city. He was one of the principal or- 
ganizers of the Chatham Square Metliodist Episco- 
pal Church, and his name occupies a prominent 
position on the corner-stone of that church, which 
was erected in 1854. 

Mr. Nichols was united in marriage with Miss 
Julia E. Johnston, in 1854. This lady is a native 
of Westmoreland County, Pa., and the daughter of 
William and Julia Johnston, natives of the same 
State. Of this marriage there have been born five 
children, two living — William J., who is Collector 
for the ^\'ater \Vorks of Sioux City, and Joseph C 
Jennie E., James and John died in infancj'. Mrs. 
Nichols is also connected with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and is a lady highly esteemed in the 
communit}-. The}' occupy a handsome residence 
at No. 1022 High street, and the business office of 
Mr. Nichols is located on Seventh street, between 
]Main and Johnston. 




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If/OSEPH A. ]MILES. au early pioneer of 
Iowa, crossed the Mississippi while this State H^ 
was yet a Territory, and has been a resident 
of Lee County, and Charleston Township, 
since that time. During a period of forty-seven years 
he has watched with unabated interest the changes 
which have been going on around him, and in com- 
mon with the other early settlers of this region has 
marveled at its growth and rejoiced at its prosper- 
ity. In common also with others who came here 
at that time, he lias materially assisted in bringing 



about this present prosperous cfimlitic^n of agricult- 
ure an<l the iiKlustrles. aud as such has been au 
inportaiit laiiduiaiii in the history of tiiis section. 

Mr. Miles is a native of Erie County, N. Y., aud 
was born .lime i), IH20. his parents being Silas and 
.Martlia (Harrington) Miles, natives of Massaolui- 
setts. After tlieir marriage they removed to Erie 
Co., N. Y., and were engaged in fnrniing pursuits and 
sheep-raising, and lived there until tlie fall of 183-1. 
They then proceeded fuilher westward to Morgan 
County, 111., wliere they lived for two years, and 
then, crossing tlie Mississip|)i, purcli.ased a claim in 
Charleston Townsliip. Lee County, upon whicli 
they settled in llie spring of 1m;J'.). Tiii> became 
their permanent home, and they remained liere the 
balance o! their liNc?. Tlie niotiier deiiarled this 
life Jan. 27, l.Soo, and the father survived lier 
twelve 3'ears, passing to his linal rest on tiie 4th of 
March, IBO.J, at the advanced age of eigiity -three 
years. The parental household consisted of eight 
children, six sons and two daughters. 

The subject of our sl<etcli was the si.xth cliild of 
his parents' family. He was leared to farming pur- 
suits, and reniained with ids parents during tlieir 
O removals to Iliinoi> and Iowa. He settled with 
r^^^^^ them upon tlie luunestead in Chai'leston Township, 
of which he has been a resident since that time, 
and has licen conlinuousl3' engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. Since casting his first vote he has at- 
tended cver^' election where he was entitled to a 
ballot, and lias not once missed the oiiportunily of 
casting his vote in support of the principles of the 
Democratic i)arty. 

The homestead of .Mr. .Miles consists of 160 
acres, 120 of which are in a tillable condition. He 
make* a si)ecialty of the breeding of fine horses 
and sheep, and exhibits .some of the finest animals 
q PJ in the Ilawkeye State. He has been prominently 
H-J^Ict connected with the affairs of his township and 
} county, and in the spring of 1880 was appointed 
I Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, of 
"which institution he has had <-liarge during the last 
six years. In this time he has brought about sub- 
^S&CT Stiintial ini|)rovemeiits in the management of the 
farm and the construction of the buildings. He 
has also held various other offices of importance in 
his township, and has been .Supervisor and Con- 




stable for six years; he was elected .lustice of the 
Peace but would not qualify. He was School 
Director of this township for twenty years. He 
was also a member of the last Grand .huy which 
assembled at Ft. Madison -ft-hen the state was a 
Territoiy, over forty years ago. 

The marriage of Joseph A. Miles and .Miss 
Clarissa, daughter of Phineas and Clarissa (Hamil- 
ton) Young, was celebrated in Scott County, III., 
Jan. 27. 1842. The parents of Mrs. M. were na- 
tives vf .Massachusetts, and after their marriage 
settled in the State of New York. Her father, a 
brother of Brigham Young, in former years was a 
minister of the Methodist Church, but in 18;J2 he 
and his wife united with the Mormon Church, of 
which the father became an Elder and an impor- 
tant man among the councils of the Latter-Day 
Saints. The mother ni Mrs. Miles died when the 
latter was a child of seven years old, in 1833, in 
Kirkland, Ohio. Her father afterward removed to 
Salt Lake City, and died there in Se()tember, 1879. 
The parental household consisted of five children, 
one son and four daughters, of whom Jlrs. Miles 
was the fourth in order of birth, .she is a native of 
()ntaiii> County. N. Y.. and was born Oct. 13, 
1820. 

Our subject and wife have become the parents of 
six children, as follows: Avries II. married Miss 
Jane Huntington, who is now deceased; he resides 
in New lioston, I.,ee Count}'; Hai'riet is the wife of 
Z. T. Lyons, and lives in Jefferson Township; 
Phineas (i. married Miss Sarah Sluty, and is a resi- 
dent of Kansas; Fannie is the wife of C. W. Holmes, 
of Keosauqua, Van Hureu Co., Iowa; Joseph mar- 
ried Mi.ss Julia Walirer, and lives in Charleston 
Township; Susie married John Hopp. of Charleston 
Township. 

When Mr. and Mrs. Miles began housekeeping 
in Iowa they had just .seventy cents in cash and a 
limited assortment of household goods. They had 
been reared, however, to habits of industry and 
economy, and were not dismayed by their cir- 
cumscribed possessions, but bravely set to work to 
improve the farm and establish a comfortable home. 
They " pulled together, " courageously' met and 
overcame the difficulties which surrounded them, 
and in due time received their reward. Seven 








r^^^t, 




years previous to the late Civil War, Mr. Miles was 
engaged in keeping a public-house upon the site of 
his present homestead, where verj' often as many 
as fortj- guests at one time obtained *' rest, shelter 
and food, " and many of them are still living, and 
often refer with pleasure to the hospitable landlord 
and his lady who presided with such genuine kind- 
ness and courtes}' over the affairs of that quiet, 
comfortable inn. 

Mr. and Mrs. Miles are liberal in their religious 
belief, and their pleasant home is the resort of the 
best people of this vicinity'. During their long 
residence here they have endeared themselves to a 
large circle of friends, and are widely known 
throughout this section for their true courtesy, 
genial hospitalitj', and many other worthy traits of 
character. Aurong the band of honored pioneers 
who assisted to mark out the path of a future civ- 
ilization, Joseph Miles and his wife occupy a prom- 
inent and enviable position. 



m 



4 5 
lie 

1:1: 

\i 
1; 



li 

u;;5 



MICHAEL Kl 
of Pleasant 



m 



KILBRIDE, an extensive farmer 
it Ridge Township, who is com- 
rtably located on section 27, and carry- 
* ing on the peaceful occupation of a farmer, 

is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and was born Aug. 
21, 1842. His father, Michael Kilbride, was of 
Irish nativity and parentage, and emigrated to the 
United States when a j'oung man. On reaching 
American shores he remained for a brief time in 
New York City, and then proceeded to Zanesville, 
Ohio. While stopping in the Empire City, he was 
united in man-iage with Miss Bridget Salmon, a na- 
tive of his own countrj', who accompanied him to 
Zanesville, where the^' lived until the year 1845. 
They then removed to Cincinnati, and two 3'ears 
later crossed the Mississippi, and coming into Lee 
Count3', located upon a tract of land in Pleasant 
Ridge Township, where they remained until his 
decease, which occurred in 1884. after he was 
seventy-two j'ears old. Mrs. K. is still living 
(1886), and is seventy-four years of age. The 
parental household included the following chil- 
dren, six of whom are 3'et living: .John is in 
California: the second son was Michael: Turns 




is in Arizona; James is in Missouri; Timothy 
died in the last mentioned State in Februarj', 1S8.5, 
at the age of thirty-five years; Andrew and Owen 
are in Colorado; Rose Anne is the wife of Delplios 
Hallock, of Lee County. 

Michael Kilbride, Jr., came with his father's 
family to Iowa when he was a child of five years 
old. He remained with his parents until he was 
twenty-two, and then went over the plains to Cali- 
fornia with a team of cattle. He engaged in min- 
ing for the space of nine years, and when he was 
ready to return, was transported hither by steam- 
quite an improvement on the former method of 
travel. He now has charge of the homestead of 
IGO acres which is owned by his mother, the affairs 
of which he is conducting in a successful and credit- 
able manner. 

eHARLES S. PRICE, of Ft. Madison, of the 
firm of C. S. Price <fe Co., with his partners 
is successfully engaged as a dealer in agri- 
cultural implements, buggies and heavy hardware. 
He is a highly esteemed citizen and a straightfor- 
ward business man, and a gentleman who is giving 
material aid to the industrial interests of his com- 
munity. Our subject is a native of Austria, born 
in 1848, and tiie son of Edward and Erta (Good- 
field) Price, natives of the same countr}' as their 
son, where they were united in marriage in 1824. 
They became the parents of four children, and 
twenty years later emigrated to the United States, 
making their first location in Lancaster County, Pa. 
There they remained for ten years, and then removed 
to Minnesota, settling in Mendota, where the father 
departed this life in 1S60, leaving his widow, three 
sons and one daughter. The mother subsequently 
married again, and soon after this event the subject 
of our sketch, although but thirteen years old, left 
his home, and since that time has " paddled his own 
canoe." He first boarded a steambf)at on the Upper 
Mississippi, where he was employed until after the 
outbreak of the Rebellion, and in 18(33 enlisted in tlie 
United States service, and was mustered in as ;i 
bugler in the 'i'Jtli Minnesota Cavalry. He serve<l 
until 1 86t), and tlien received an honorable dischar";e 







mil 




CirM 



.J 



In 



m 



with liis corprades. His service in the army was 
rather etijoyable than otherwise, as he possessed 
many agreeable traits of character and was the pet 
of his regiment. 

After his return from the army, j'oung Price 
again engaged in steam boating on the Mississippi, 
and in the course of time had accumulated a snug- 
little sum of money. In the fail of IKGH he came 
to Ft. Madison, and established himself as a barber, 
having learned the trade while on the river. He 
was thus occupied until 1884, when he established 
his present business, and two years later associated 
himself in partnership with Mr. C K. Kern. 

Mr. Price was nuirried in 1871, to Miss Lena 
Soechtig, of Ft. Madison. Mrs. Price was born in 
1854, and is a lady of great energy of character, 
and with more than ordinary talent for business. 
She is a manufacturer of and dealer in theatrical and 
masquerade goods, and, as Madame Price, carries 
on the largest business of the kind in the State. By 
her union witli our subject she has become the 
mother of two cliildren — Etta and Charles. They 
(iccuity a pleasant residence, and are surrounded 
liy all the evidences of cultivation and refinement. 
Mr. Price is a Knight Templar and member oi the 
I. O. O. F., also a member of the K. of P., and is 
connected with the Luthei-an Church. 



,>^E0K(;K LAYTON, a highly respected and 
'll '^ successful farm'er of Des Moines Township, 

^^iJi is the possessor of a fine estate of 360 acres 
located fin section 22. It is well stocked and mostly 
under a good state of cultivation, and presents one 
of the i)rettiest spots in the landscape of the county. 
Our subject is a native of the i)roud old common- 
wealth of Ohio, and was born in Pike County, Nov. 
25, 1830. His father, James Lay ton, was a native 
of the same county and State, and a farmer by oc- 
(Hipa4,ion. He was married in his native county in 
early manhood to Miss Filizabeth Cartwright, a 
Virginia lady, whose parents removed to Pike 
County at an early day, and there passed the re- 
mainiler of their lives. They reared a family of 
eight children, three sons and five daughters, of 



whom the subject of onr sketch was the youngest j 
but two. He was a lail of onl}' eleven years of age j 
when he was bereaved of both parents, and his =; 
home was afterward among strangers. His parents 5:; 
were both from excellent old families, men and 3 
women who had lived honorable lives, and have 5 
transmitted to their descendants those qualities 5f 
which would serve them well thn^ugh life, and Jt 
which were strongly inherited l>y the subject of our zi\ 
sketch. ': 

After the death of his parents, George Layton : 
was compelled to look out for himself, and he was ; 
engaged industriously at whatever his hands could i 
find to do, working priiicijially upon the farn)s in E 
his immediate neighborhood and on the Ohio River ; 
with fiatboats. At the age of sixteen years he vi 
went to Scioto County. Ohio, where he lived until ■ 
his marriage. The maiden of his choice was Miss : 
Sarah A. Smith, the daughter of James and Susan 3| 
(Thomas) Smith, natives of Ohio and Kentucky En 
respectively. The wedding occurred Feb. 2t), 1850. ; 
The parents of the bride were married in Lewis j 
County, K_y., and settled ii[)on a farm at Sandy i. 
Spring, Adams Co., Ohio, where they were early & 
l)ioneers, and kept the post-oflice for the early set- Si: i 
tiers for some time after their arrival there. Thence : ;i 
they proceeded to Iowa, in 185G, and thereafter ^j 
lived for a time in Missouri, but are now making : ^ 
their home with their daughter, Mrs. La3'ton, of ; 
this n(jtice. The father is eighty-five years of age K 
and the mother eighty-two. 

Mrs. Layton was born in Adams County, Ohio, 
Feb. 4, 1831. She was reared and educated there, 
and remained with her parents until her marriage. 
By her union with our subject she has become the 
mother of five children, one of wh<mi, William, 
died at the age of seven months. The living are, 
James, who was married to Miss Sarah Lee, and is 
residing on a farm in Des Moines Township ; Charles, 
India .-ind (ieorge are at h<.)me with their parents. 
India is an accomplished and finely educated young 
lady, and (Jeorge is operating the homestead for 
his father. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Layton settled := 
upon a farm in Adams County, where they remained :' 
for four years. They crossed the Mississippi in : 
1 850. and made their first settlement in Lee County. 3|{ 

rh 







LEE COUNTY. 



335 



and have consequently been residents of the Hawk- 
eye State for a period of thirty years. In that 
time the3' have witnessed manj- remarkable and in- 
teresting changes, and have assisted by everj' means 
within their power in the progress and welfare of 
their adopted county and township. They are the 
stanch friends of education and morality, and have 
lent their influence, accompanied by their means, 
to every good work and purpose. Mrs. Layton 
was reared a Presbyterian, and Jlr. L., although 
he does not meddle much with politics, still has his 
decided opinions, and uniformly votes the straight 
Republican ticket. They are posessors of one of 
the most comfortable homesteads in Lee County, 
and are enjoying the fruits of their early toil, as 
well as the esteem and friendship of a large circle 
of acquaintances. 



^'•^y\/\^^\^JlQJ2/^§-^^-< 



>tt^^^7nnr»^-VK^~ 



"^OHN E. CRAIG, of the law firm of , Craig, 

McCrary & Craig, at Keokuk, Iowa, is one of 

the most prominent attorne3'S of Lee County, 

and stands high in his profession. He is a 

native of Claysville, Washington Co., Pa., and was 

born March 14, 1853. His father, Alexander K. 

Craig, a native of the same county and State, and 

a farmer by occupation, still resides near the place 

of his birth, and is still strong and active. He was 

born in 1828, and was married in earl}' manhood to 

Miss Sarah McLain, who is three years the junior 

of her husband, having been born in 1831, and is 

still living. The household included seven children, 

of whom two are deceased. 

The subject of our sketch is the second child of 
his parents' family, and his earl}' life was spent 
upon the farm. He was a bright and studious bo}' 
and improved every opportunity afforded him to 
obtain an education. At the age of sixteen ho 
|§ commenced teaching, and was occupied with that 
and farming alternately for the following four 
years. In the meantime he had pursued his studies 
as closelj' as possible, and had thus become fitted 
for admission into the Washington and Jefferson 
College, at Washington, Pa., from which he gi'ad- 
"c uated in 1877. He then resumed teaching, and was 
employed in Lebanon Academy, near Pittsburgh, 



until 1 878. But he was not quite satisfied with his 
condition or prospects in his native State, and con- 
eluded to cross the Mississippi and seek his fortune 
in the West. He accordingly came to Iowa, and 
began reading law in the oftice of his uncle, John 
H. Craig, of Keokuk, and in 1879 was admitted to 
the bar. The following year he became associated 
in partnership with his preceptor, with whom he has 
continued to this date. The firm is one of the most 
prominent in this section of the State, and is trans- 
acting an extensive and prosperous business. 

.lohn E. Craig was united in marriage with iliss 
Fame S., daughter of Moses and Susanna Coulter. 
She was born in Allegheny County, Pa., but at the 
date of her marriage was a resident of Washington 
County. Of this marriage has been born one son, 
Moses Coulter. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members in 
good standing of the Presbyterian Church of 
Keokuk, and in politics Mr. Craig uniformly casts 
his vote with the Democratic party. He has always 
taken a great interest in educational matters and 
has Iteen a member of the School Bcjard for three 
j'ears. He is an able "stump" speaker, and was 
one of the representatives of his county in the 
Twenty-first General Assembly of the Iowa State 
Legislature. He is a man of broad, liberal views 
and generous impulses, always ready to aid in any 
enterprise which tends to the welfare and advance- 
ment of his county and community. The family 
occupy a pleasant home, and are surrounded by all 
those elements of life which are the outgrowth of 
culture, refinement, and a high morality. 



=il/OSEPH G. ANDERSON. A. M., a promi- 
nent and popular attorney of Keokuk, is a na- 
tive of Ohio, born in Cincinnati, Aug. 30, 
1 848. He is the son of Robert .James and 
.Mary Jane (Whitney) Anderson, and came with 
his parents to the Hawkeye State in 1857. They 
made their first location in Keokuk and here he re- 
ceived his earl}' education. From 1860 to 1867 he 
lived on a farm in Clark County, Mo. Afterward 
he entered the State University of Missouri at Col- 
umbia, in 1867, taking a full classical course, and. 
graduating from there in 1873, having been admit- 



siiiaaiSfiG^^fe' 



m 




336 



LEE COUNTY. 



B 



H^ 





ted to the bar two years previovislj', in 1871. He 
commenced the practice of iiis profession at Keo- 
kuk, and has been associated in partnership with 
several of the leading attorneys of the city. He is 
at present a member of the law firm which does 
business under the title of Anderson, Davis k Ha- 
garman. He h.as confined ids attention principally to 
^ chancery cases, otherwise following a general prac- 
tice, with the exception of criminal cases. He 
is a Repul)lican in politics and lias lieen iirouiinent 
in tlie local councils of his party, having been a 
delegate several limes to various important conven- 
tions. He has steadily declined to become the in- 
eundjent of any oflice, but has occupied the posi- 
tion of City Attorney for two years. 

Mr. ;Vndcrson's education has l)ecn acquired 
mainly by his own efforts. He was remarkably 
studious and industrious, and taught school for 
some time in order to obtain funds to purchase 
books and to complete his full course of study. He 
has occupied a position as teacher in the State Tni- 
versity of Missouri, and in the practice of his pro- 
fession has met with fine success, the firm of which 
he is a member being the most i)opular and success- 
ful in the city. Mr. Anderson has invet.ted largely 
of his means in real estate in Keokuk. 

The nianiage of Mr. Anderson and Miss Emily 
Tondinson was celebrated .Sept. 22, 1876. Mrs. A. 
is the daughter of \V. E. Tomlinson, of Burlington, 
and was born in Kentucky', Oct. .^I, 1856. Of this 
union there have l)een horn five children, as fol- 
1 lows: Joseph H.. Enuly 1'., .lames T., JNIary and 
William E. 

iSIr. Anderson has a genuine love for learning, 
and even andd the iliitio of his profession gives 
time to the study of logical and metaphysical sub- 
jects, and has been the author of some articles writ- 
ten for the '•Journal of Speculative Philosoph3\" 
He was for many years connected with the Keokuk 
Law .School as Professor of Code Tleadings, Law of 
Corporations, etc. He is a niendier of the Ameri- 
can Bar Association, and h.as been connected with 
every important law case tried at Keokuk for the 
last ten years. His firm is counsel for all the im- 
portant corporations in the city, and has built up 
an extensive and popular business. 

Mr. Anderson occupies a fine residence in one of 

X 



1 



the [jleasantest parts of the city, and his home, \ 
within and without, bears evidence of refinement ; 
and ample means. .Socially Mr. and Mrs. A. oc- 2 
cup3- an enviable position, and re[)resent the culture 
and breeding of the first-class residents of Keokuk. 




R. F. M. TATE, a prominent resident and 
skillful jihysician of Keokuk, is a native of 
Indiana, and was born Dec. 21, 1830. 
His parents were James and Sarah (Dnr- 
yea) Tate, natives respectively of Harrison and ^ 
Mason Counties, Ky. .lames Tate removed from 
his native .State to Indiana in 1830, where he re- p 
mained engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1849, 
when he crossed the Mississippi and came into the Ei 
Hawkeye .State, locating on a farm in Monroe : 
County, near Albia. Four j-ears later he moved ; 
into the town, and prosecuted a general merchandise 
business until his death, which occurred in 1866. 
The wife and mother survived him four ^ears, dy- 
ing in 1870. They had a family of eight children, 
all of whom lived to be men and women, but five 
are since deceased. Those living are: F. M., the 
subject of our sketch; Sarah, now Mrs. Sneer, of 
.I:isper County, 111., and Thomas B., of Alliia. this 
State. 

Dr. Tate of our notice was reared on his father's 
farm, and received his education in the common 
schools. He came with his father's family to Iowa, 
and as preparatory to the study of medicine, pur- 
sued a course of study in a select school at Albia, 
In 1855 he commenced the study of medicine under 
the instruction of Dr. Sherwood, of Cincinnati, 
and pursuing his studies in the Eclectic Col- 
lege of Medicine of that city, graduated in 1857. 
He subsequently graduated also from the Eclectic 
Medical Institute of Cincinnati. During these two 
years he received clinical instruction at the Com- 
mercial Hospital of Cincinnati. 

After the completion of his college C(jurse, Dr. 
Tate entered into partnership with Dr. ^^'illiam 
Sherwood, which relation continued one year, 
and Dr. Tate then returned to Iowa, and located 
at Farniington, A' an Buren Countj% where he en- 
gaged continuously in the practice of his profession 






LEE COUNTY. 



337 



for the followins' thirteen years. In 1872 he came 
to Keokuk, where he has since been located, and 
has become an honored member of the profession 
in this localit3^ 

Dr, Tate was married to his present wife in Feb- 
ruary, 1858. She was formerly JMiss Eliza S., 
daughter of Gen. William and Josephine E. (Sim- 
mons) Carhartt, of Roscoe, Ohio. Their union has 
been blest by the birth of two children — Thomas 
C. and Frederick F. The former is a civil engi- 
neer at Peru, Ind. ; Frederick F. is at home with 
his parents. The Doctor and his family reside at 
No. 1206 Blondeau street, and enjo3' the friend- 
ship and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances, 
and as a citizen he contributes materially to the 
social and moral interests of the eomniunit3'. 

-^ ^-^ — 



ylLSON BULLARD, a prominent and suc- 
cessful farmer of Jefferson Township, owns 
and occupies a fine estate on section 14, 
and is extensively engaged in agricultural [lursuits 
and stock growing. His farm is finely improved 
and adapted to the growth of all kinds of cereals 
and vegetables, and is well stocked with finely bred 
animals. It is supplied with a comfortable farm 
residence, a good barn, and all the necessaiy out- 
buildings for the shelter of stock and the storing 
of grain, and taken all together it constitutes one 
of the finest spots in the landscape of this county. 
Mr. Bullard is a native of Jefferson Township, and 
was born Aug. 19, 1838. (For parental history see 
sketch of Alex Bullard). 

The early life of our subject was spent at home 
on his father's farm and in attendance at the pio- 
neer schools. At the age of fourteen years he was 
deprived of a father's support b^- death, and at that 
early period in life started out to battle for himself. 
He employed himself at whatever his hands could 
find to do, and soon began to cultivate the soil 
upon his own account. He was successful in his 
undertaking, and March 15, 1850, was united in 
marriage with Miss Gertrude A. Wallace, who was 
also born and reared in Lee County. The parents 
of Mrs. Bullard ai-e both now deceased. Her fa- 
ther was a farmer by occupation, and a man highly 

'i 



esteemed in his vicinity. Of this union there 
were born two children: Oracle G. is fhe vvife of 
Barnard Rebo, and lives in Hitchcock County, Neb., 
upon a farm; Deborah is deceased. Mrs. Ger- 
trude Bullard died at her home in Jefferson Town- 
ship in 1871. She was an estiinaVile Christian lady, 
and highly esteemed bv all who knew iier, as a lov- 
ing wife, an affectionate mother, and a kind neigh- 
bor. She was connected with the Baptist Church, 
and a regular attendant upon its services. 

On the 17th day of October, 1870, Mr. Bullard 
was the second time married, to Miss Sophia Mar- 
shall, a native of Lee County, Iowa. She was born 
at Montrose, Feb. 1 o, 1853, and is the daughter of 
William and Roxyllaiiia (Overton) IMarshall, na- 
tives respectively of Mrginia and Indiana. When 
Mr. Marshall was eleven years old, his father re- 
moved from Virginia to Washington County, Ind., 
and there his son, the father of Mrs. Bullard, was 
reared to manhood, and united in marriage with 
Miss Overton, who was born and reared in the same 
county and State. Afterward the family, consist- 
ing of the parents and three children, came into 
Iowa and settled on a new farm near Montrose, in 
the spring of i 843. Very little of the land was 
improved, but they occupied their time industri- 
ously, and after the lapse oi a few years effected a 
remarkable improvement in its condition. Mrs. 
Marshall died in Jefferson Township in 1860; Mr. 
Marsliall is living with his daughter, Mrs. Bullard. 
The latter was the j'oungest but one of a familj' of 
seven children, five sons and two daughters. She 
remained at home, and after the death of her 
mother, when she was only a child of seven years 
old, had the principal care of her father's house- 
hold. Mr. and Mrs. Bullard became the parents of 
seven children, four of whom are deceased, viz., 
John S., and three infants who died unnamed. 
Those remaining are Lottie, Pearl M. and Bessie B. 

After his marriage Mr. Bullard began farming 
operations in Jefferson Township, making his first 
purchase of land in about 1854, and which com- 
prises a part of his present homestead. It lies 
along the first bottom of the Mississippi River in 
the "half-breed " tract. Here he has pursued the 
even tenor of his way, rendering kindly acts to his 
neighbors as opportunitj- afforded, and in all re- 



n 



fiiii 



PCUXXJiaXTTT* 




spects fulfilling the obligations of a good citizen. 
IIo has nc^er aspired to oflice, but on the con- 
tiar3- has been content to quietly and unobtrusively 
attend to the affairs of his farm, although he has 
decided views upon politics and matters in gen- 
eral. Me is a stanch adherent of the Democratic 
party, and uniformly casts his vote in support of 
its principles. 





eHARLKS V. LYE is senior member of the 
firm of Lye & King, of Keokuk, retailers and 
jobl)ers in dry goods, and occupies a promi- 
nent position among the business men of the (iate 
Citj'. lie is a native of Hastings, England, born 
March 4, 1 840, and is the son of Robert and Eliza- 
beth (Pope) Lye, also natives of the same countr}'. 
Robert Lye was a dry-goods merchant in earlier 
years, and later a dealer in china vvare. He re- 
tired from active business in l.s72. The wife and 
mother departed this life in 185.5. Their family 
consisted of nine children, six of whom are living, 
the record l)eing as follows: Roliert is in New 
Zealand; Kllen, Mrs. Wheeler, is in lirighton, En- 
gland; tiie tliird child was Charles F., our subject; 
Mary .). is in London; Francis E., in Hrightoii, and 
Archibald R., in Lewis, England. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his par- 
ents during his 3'ounger years, and received a good 
education in the primary schools, which was sup- 
plemented liy .attendance at the Bank Street Col- 
lege of Hastings, from which he graduated at the 
age of I'ouiteen years. lie was then apprenticed to 
Mr. Andrews, of Newmarket, Cambridge, to learn 
the dry-goods business. Here he remained for six 
years, then went t(j London, and was engaged as a 
clerk. He was employed in tlie dry -goods trade for 
four 3'ears, and then enlisted in the Hritish army. 
He was promoted Sergeant, and served eight years, 
six years of this time being spent in India and 
China. He was there in the siege and cai)ture of 
Takoo Forts, ami was wounded in that engagement. 
He then returned with his regiment to England, 
subsecpiently went to Ireland, and was afterward 
stationed at Londonderry. The state of his health 



now necessitated his being sent to the hospital, and 
he secured his discharge on account of disability. 

After his discharge from the army Mr. Lye en- 
gaged as clerk in the dry-goods business at Hast- 
ings, and w.as thus occupied for three years. In 
1870 he determined to seek his fortunes in the New- 
World and came to the United States, making his 
first settlement in Dearborn County, Ind. Here he 
engaged as clerk in the drj'-goods business, and 
remained for two 3'ears. In 1878 he came to Keo- 
kuk, and accepted a position with the firm of Ir- 
win, Phillips & Co., with whom he remained three 
years, and was afterward connected with John Zerr 
in the dry-goods business. Mr. Lye established his 
present business in 1 882, on the corner of Main and 
Eighth streets. The following 3'ear he associated 
himself in partnership with Mr. King. They are 
doing an extensive business, and give emploj'ment 
to six clerks. 

Mr. Lye was married in 1880, to Miss A. E. 
King, daughter of the late James King, of Dear- 
horn County, Ind. Of this union there has been 
born one child — Emma E. They occup3' a hand- 
some residence on Fulton street, and their circle of 
friends and acquaintances includes the best citizens 
of Keokuk. Mr. L3'e is a straightforward business 
man, highly respected in his community, and a val- 
uable factor among the business interests of Lee 
County. 



%J^>Ji 



l^ftrf^ 



eHARLES HUBENTHAL, Deputy Sheriff of 
Lee County, Iowa, who resides at Keokuk, 
is a native of Hesse-Cassel, German3', and 
was born June 25, 1832. He entered school at the 
age of six 3-ears, and continued his studies until the 
age of twelve. He then came to America with his 
uncle, Adam Williams, his father and mother both 
having died when he was quite young. They landed 
in New York City, and thence proceeded to Texas, 
arriving there during the cholera scourge. The un- 
cle and all of his famil3- were stricken witli this ter- 
rible disease, which resulted fatally in each case, 
and our subject was thus left in a strange land 
without friends or means. He was taken to New 





IQQ ^BIJXDXI 



York City b}^ his neighbors, and became an appren 
tice to learn the butcher's trade, which he mastered 
. . in all its details, and soon began doing business in 
li: this line on his own account. 

:j ; From the Empire City our subject removed to 
],: Pittsburgh, and then to St. Louis, Mo., where he 
;-: remaiued until 1850, and in April of that year 
Ij;" came to Keokuk and engaged with two different 
.;j;: firms in this city, his former employers being both 
]; : now deceased. Four years later he embarked in 
}]' ; the business here on his own account, opening a 
.v; meat-market on Main street and another on Fourth 
]: ': street. These soon became the principal shops of 
^i;: the kind in Keokuk, and he carried on a prosper- 
,^; : ous and lucrative business until 1861. He then 
Ij : went to California and opened a market in Sacra- 
f: mento, which he continued until the following 
i:; year, when the gold and silver excitement attracted 
'?;■ - him to the mining regions. After working in the 
mines at Virginia City he went into Nevada, 
.^ locating in Clifton during its early settlement, and 
' - afterward started a butcher shop, in which he car- 
: : ried on business successfully for about five years. 
I ; He then went to Montana, where he followed the 
! : same, carrying on a wholesale and retail business 
: : and coining money. In the winter of 1868 he re- 
', ; turned to Keokuk, and continued his meat-market 
; - until 1881, when he sold out, and forming a partner- 
' : ship with James Welch, engaged in the ice busi- 
ness, running four wagons and employing about 
twelve men during the summer months. This he 
followed until the death of his partner, when he 
sold out his interest in the business and invested in 
a dr3'-brick machine. 

Mr. Hubenthal was married, in 1856, to Miss 
Anna Arnold, of Keokuk, who is a native of his 
own country, and emigiated to America with her 
parents when a little girl. They have become the 
parents of one child— Anna Amelia, now twelve 
years of age. Mr. Hubenthal has taken an active 
interest in public matters since coming to this 
State, and keeps himself well informed upon the ! 
current events of the day. He has served as Alder- 
man in the Fifth Ward for two terms, and is a gen- 
tleman whose judgment is uniformly consulted in 
^ regard to matters of importance. Politically he is 
I a Democrat, and east his first Presidential vote for 



Franklin Pierce. He was appointed Deputy Sheriff 
in 1885, and assumed the duties of his office in 
January, 1886. 



^^APT. RALPH R. TELLER, a successful 
\vl JJl ^'■'"*"o'''^^^'" ^^ Jackson Township and the 
^^/ suburbs of Keokuk, is a native of New York 
City, born Jan. 29, 1827, and is the sou of Luke 
and Julia A. (Remson) Teller, natives of the State 
of New York, in which they lived after their mar- 
ri.age, and became the parents of nine children. 
They were most worthy and excellent people, 
highly respected by the community in which they 
lived, and reared their family to habits of industry 
and economy, giving them such education as the 
schools of that period afforded. 

When he arrived at suitable years our subject 
learned the trade of a shoemaker in his native city, 
and followed his occupation there until he was 
twenty-two years old. In 1859 he came into the 
young State of Iowa, and made his home alternately 
in Iowa and Missouri for the following ten years, 
■when he decided to settle in Jackson Township, 
this county. Two years thereafter, when the notes 
of Civil War began to sound throughout the land, 
he identified himself with the thousands who were 
volunteering their services in support of the Union, 
enlisting in April, 1861, in the 2d Iowa Infantry, 
in which he served for two and one-half years. He 
went in as a private, and was promoted First Lieu- 
tenant of the 60th Regiment of Colored Infantry, 
in which capacity he served until the following 
year, when he was tendered a Captain's commis- 
sion for meritorious services while fightiuo- the en- 
emy in Arkansas. He retained his commission un- 
til the close of the war, and was mustered out on 
the 2d of November, 1865. 

After his return from the army Capt. Teller re- 
turned to Jackson Township, where he lived for 
one year, and then went South into Arkansas, where 
he was engaged in farming for a period of seven 
years. He then sold out and returned to Jackson 
Township, which has remained his home since that 
time. He has nine and three-fourths acres of valu- 




' irXXXjrtmvrtif] 





able hind, which is highlj' cultivated and devoted 
exclusively to the ciiltiirc of berries, apples and 
peaches. 

IJnIph H. Teller and Miss Nancy A. Trimble 
were united in marriage in .Sandusky, Lee Co., Iowa, 
Sept. 21. 1871, and have become the parents of four 
children, three of wlioin died in infancy, William 
T. being- the only survivor. C'apt. Teller is in all 
respects a thorough l)usiness man and a good citi- 
zen, and in politics classes himself among the Inde- 
pendents, although strongly' in sympathy with the 
Republican party. Socially lie is connected with 
Torrence I'ost No. 2. ft. A. H. 

f Ijr As a representative and esteemed citizen of this 

U-Rco 






Wm 

in 



m 

lii 



unty we present the jwrtrait of C'apt. Teller in 
connection with this personal history. 



ii 



/OSKl'H A. LUPTON, a prominent and 

highly I'espected farmer of .lackson Town- 
ship, owns and occupies a valuable home- 
stead pleasantly located on section 19. It 
consists of 440 acres of finely cultivated land, a 
q HJ IwTidsome farm dwelling, good barns and out- 
^ - houses, and all the necessary appliances for the stor- 
inif of grain, the slielter of stock, and the carrying- 
on of agriculture after the most improved methods. 
He lias valualile farm machiuerv and implements, 
and all the aijpliaiiees of a lirst-class modern farm 
estate. 

The subject of this biography is a native of the 
Huckeye State, and was born in Highland County, 
July 12, 1.S27. lie is the son of David and Ruth 
(Adams) Lupton, natives of Virginia, where they 
were married, and settled for a time, afterward re- 
moving to Highland County, Ohio. They removed 
from this latter State in 1844, crossed the Missis- 
lippi into Lee County, Iowa, were residents of 
veokukand .Jackson Township for a time, and then 




•emovcd to rnionville. Mo., where their lives ter- 
minated. The parental family consisted of eleven 
children, of whom our subjetrt was the fourth in 
^Jjorder of l)irtli. 

Ml'- Lupton w:is about seventeen years old when 

I this parents came to Lee County, in 1S44. He had 

received excellent liome training and a fair educa- 



tion in the public schools. During his youthful 
years he a.ssisted his parents in the duties around 
the homestead, and has been eng.aged in agricult- 
ural pursuits all his life. He was married in Jack- 
son Township, Feb. 26, 1852, to Miss Annie, 
daughter of John and Sarah (Slayter) Lancaster, 
who were of English descent and parentage. They 
emigrated to the United States in 1847, and com- 
ing directly to Lee County. Iowa, settled in J.ack- 
son Township, where the death of John Lancaster 
occurred Sept. 29, IB.'iO. His wife survived him un- 
til May .'), 18.50, and came to her death by a rail- 
road accident on the Isthmus of Panama, while on 
a journey to California. John Lancaster wa-s a 
wholesale butcher and cattle dealer in Liverpool. 

Mrs. Lupton, wife of our subject, was born in 
Liverpool, England, June 14, 183.5, and by her 
marriage Ims become the mother of ten <'hildren: 
\\^illiam and .loseph are deceased, the former was 
married to Miss Fankhouser, located in Jackson 
Township, and died there in March, 1879, leaving 
two children — Horace and Mamie; the others are 
John C, David A., .S.ar.ah E., Louis E. (in Califor- 
nia), Mary B., Annie R., Asa F. and Charles N. 

M)-. Lupton has taken an intelligent interest in 
the affairs of his adopted countj'. and acted as 
Board Supervisor of his townshij). He is Repub- 
lican in |)olitics, and with his wife is prominently 
connected with the Presbyterian Church. In 18(;i 
Mr. L. went to California, accompanied by his fam- 
ily, where they remained i\ve years, anil were en- 
gaged in agricultural imrsuits, the climate of that 
region and the change in condition and location 
proving of great benefit to them, and a most val- 
uable experience. 



-rz*- 



'i^i- 




ENRY DANIEL McCONN, a highly re- 
spected citizen and successful banker of 
Ft. Madison, is C^ashier of the (^erman- 
American Bank, the duties of which position 
he is trans.acting with ability' and success. Mr. 
McConn is a native of Ft. Madison, born March 7, 
1849, and is the son of Daniel and Caroline (Cat- 
termole) McConn. He received his primary educa- 
tion ill the pultlic schools of his native place, and 

~rf^ | iii» »iiit.iitiir m i-.i»iiiiiinl iXITTi . 



u 



i 



eiitficil the St. l^ouis Uiiiveisit}' of St. Jjuiiis, Mo.. 
fi'oiii which he graduated with honors in 18(!4. His 
i^studies had materiallj' impared his health, and after 
jigthese were completed be entered the tlonring-mill 
in whieh his father was engaged, and there became 
recuperated and was prei)ared to enter upon a com- 
mercial course in the Business College of Burling- 
ton, Iowa. He then entered the banking-house of 
EJ. H. Bacon, and when this was merged into the 
:Ft. Madison National Bank, he became Assistant 
i'aCashier. This was succeeded by the Bank of Ft. 
Madison, of which he was chosen Cashier, and from 
which he withdrew to organize a German-American 
.Bank, with which he has since been connected. 

The marriage of Henry Daniel ISrcConn and Miss 
Marie Louise Chauvin was celebrated in the spring 
of 1.S77. Of this union there have been born three 
children, of whom Mary C. died at the age of six 
■■Eyears; the two remaining are Eugene C. and Julia 
llowse. Mr. and Mrs. McConn occupj' a high 
position in the community, and their home is replete 
witli all the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
Elife. 
ir:;: Mr. McConn is Democi'atic in politics, and 
OE socially is a member of the I. O. O. F. He gives 
<losc attention to his business, is honorable and up- 
right in his transactions, and is rapidlj- accumulating 
a competency for the future. Although not con- 
pjljEnected with any religious denomination, he is a 
"^ "stanch friend of morality and education, and by 
ins means and influence assists in the support of 
lit every good work and purpose tending to the wel- 

1 lEfare of his city and county. 

lap -^ 



i ^ C. ARMENTROUT, M. D., of Keokuk, Pro- 
fessor of Physiology, Histolog}', and Diseases 
of the Nervous System in the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, is a native of the 
Ilawkej-e State, born in Cedar County, Sept. 25, 
I'Sol. He is the son of Joseph C. and Maiy (Long) 
Armcntrout, natives of ^'irginia. The father was 
I'ngaged in mercantile pursuits during his younger 
years, but in 1850 came to Iowa, located in Cedar 
County, and engaged in farming. He is still living, 
and has all his life been a prominent man wherever 



his lot has been cast. Soon after coming into Ce- 
dar County he was appointed Postmaster, and has 
held other important offices in this locality. He and 
his excellent wife are members in good standing of 
the .Alethodist Episcopal Church, to the support of 
which they have contributed liberally and cheer- 
fully, and in which Mr. A. has been Class-Leader 
and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. They 
have been the parents of a family of eight children, 
of whom two are deceased, and of the living 
the record is as follows: J. C, the subject of 
our sketch, was the eldest child; Mary became 
the wife of John Rorick, and resides in Cedar 
County ; Ella V. married Ira Miller, a resident of 
Cedar Rapids; Rosa B., now Mrs. Marshall Butter- 
field, is a resident of Milton, AInscatine County; 
her husband is an attorney and a graduate of the 
State University of Iowa; George is a student of 
medicine in Keokuk Medical College ; Amanda B. 
is a teacher in the public schools of Cedar County. 
The younger days of the subject of our sketch 
were occupied in attending the public schools and 
assisting in the lighter duties around the home- 
stead. He pursued his studies during the winter 
seasons until he was nineteen j^ears old, when he 
attended the school at Montrose for two winters. 
He then taught in Benton County one term, and 
afterward entered McClain's Academy at Iowa City, 
where he remained one term, taught school for two 
terms in Cedar County, took a brief course of 
study at Wilton Academy in Muscatine County, 
and then entered the State University at Iowa City, 
remaining there two terms, when he was proffered 
the position as Principal of McClain's Academy, 
which he held for the following three j'ears, having 
charge of from 300 to 500 students. At the ex- 
piration of this time he commenced the study of 
medicine under the insti'uetion of Prof. G. O. Mor- 
gridge, M. D., of Muscatine, and subsequently 
spent one summer with Prof. Middleton, of Daven- 
port, in his ofHce and in the hospital at that place, in 
the meantime teaching and lecturing throughout the 
State, and before Teachers' Institutes on phj'siology. 
He continued under the instruction of Prof. Moi'- 
gridge until he entered the medical department of 
the Iowa State Unversity, from which he graduated 
in 1883. He was a close student and made the most 




n 



ii! 








M 344 



LEE COUNTY, 



of his opportnnitics, aud became a writer of consid- 
erable note. While yet a student he became the 
author of a work entitled, " Outlines in Anatomy, 
Physiology and Hygiene," which was published in 
1881, and was received with great favor. He com- 
menced the i)ractiee of his profession in Iowa City, 
where he remained for one year, and in the spring 
of 1884 went to South Bend, Ind. Here he en- 
joyed a fine practice from the start, and the follow- 
ing summer was proffered his present position, 
which he accepted, aud removed to the Gate City 
in October, 1 8K.5. 

Dr. Aruientrout was married in 1883, to Miss 
Esther Vinall, a native of Davenport, Iowa, and 
daughter of Henry Vinall, Esq. The Doctor, bj- a 
former marri.-ige, has one son living — Coral R. Dr. 
Armentrout stands high in his profession in this 
city, and as a member of the community is highly 
esteemed for his social and intellectual endow- 
ments, and is a member of the Keokuk Medical 
Association. He takes an active interest in all mat- 
ters pertaining to the welfare of the city, educa- 
tionally and religiously, and with his wife is a 
member of Chatham .Square Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Keokuk. Mrs. A. is a teacher in the 
Sabbath-school, and the Doctor has served as Su- 
perintendent in other localities for a number of 
years. Their pleasant home is situated at No. (JOG 
North Fourth street, and they have gathered about 
them a circle comprising the best and most cultured 
people of the city. 



fclLLIAM B. FREDERICK, a highly re- 
s|>ected and well educated citizen of Ft. 




Madison, is a luttive of Lee County, born 
in the town where he now resides, on the 17th of 
March. 1 «,')(>. He is the third son of Charles and 
Rosanna Frederick (see sketch in another part of 
this volume.) He was but two years old wiicn his 
parents removed to the farm in Madison Township, 
and they lived there until he was fourteen j-ears 
old. He then returned to the city of which he 
has since been a resident. He received his educa- 
tion in the public schools, and soon after his re- 
turn to the city engaged as a clerk in a grocery 



store, where he remained for six years, and then 
set up business on his own account in the same line 
of merchandise. He has been in the grocery busi- 
ness since that time, with the exception of three 
months, and has prospered. 

Mr. Frederick was married, .June 10, 1880, to 
Miss Fannie Anderscm, a native of Montrose, Lee 
County-. Her parents were Benjamin and Louise 
(Davis) Anderson, and she remained with them 
until her marriage, receiving a good education. 
Mrs. Frederick, in earlier years, was a popular and 
successful teacher in the ]iublic schools of Ft. 
Madison. 

Mr. Frederick is independent in politics, and 
while not connected with any church organiza- 
tion, is a stanch friend of morality and good order, 
and the encourager of every good work and pur- 
pose, to which lie zealously contributes by his in- 
fluence and means. 



~v\/v -MAac/©-^ 



»*.@|>a/^3f7r9>* • ./v^^ 



\f/AMES McNAMARA, who is prominent 
among the Inisiness men of Keokuk, is an 
extensive dealer in coal, lime, cement, plaster 
paris, sewer pipe, land tile, fire brick, mixed 
paints, alabastine, etc., and is located at Nos. 426 
and 42.S .lohnson street. He is also a very prom- 
inent coutr.ictor. Our subject is a native of the 
Emerald Isle, and was born in Count}' Clare, near 
the Lakes of Inchiquin about seven miles from 
Ennis, in April, 1830, his parents being James and 
Mary (Barrett) McNaniara. natives of the same 
country and locality. The father was a farmer by 
occupation, and not being satisfied with his condi- 
tion or prospects in his native country, resolved to 
emigrate to America. Accordingly, in 1852, he 
left his native land, and after a safe voyage, landed 
in New York City, whence he proceeded to Indiana, 
and remained in that State for five years. Thence 
he came with his family to Keokuk, and eng.aged 
in the grocery business with his son, .lohn li,, until 
his decease, which occurred in 18U'J. The wife and 
mother had preceded liini three 3'ears, dying in 
186G. He was a stanch supiiorter of the Democratic 
party, and with his wife adhered to the Catholic 
faith of their fathers. Their household included 



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ten chilflren, of whom nine are still living: Bridget, 
Mrs. McNainara, resides in Indiana; Patrick is 
engaged in the grocery business in Keolvuk; Nora, 
now Mrs. Murphy, resides in I>uuisville, Ky. ; 
Michael is a resident of Keokuk, as also are James, 
Maggie, Mary, and John, who is Clerk of the District 
Court; Annie lives in Missouri. 

The younger years of Mr. McNamiira were spent 
upon his father's farm and in attendance at the 
c<jmnK)n schools. At the early age of eighteen 
years, he left the parental roof and his native land 
and set sail for the New World. Aftei' a prosperous 
voyage he landed in Boston, and for a time was 
employed on a farm, lie then set his face west- 
ward, going to New Alliany, Ind., and after he had 
attained to years of manhood, engaged in contract- 
ing and building, having under his charge from 100 
to 150 men. In 1857 he came to Keokuk and 
pursued the sarne occuijation for two years, when 
he went to St. Louis, engaged there in the same 
business, and remained until 1861. Me then re- 
turned to Keokuk, and during the building of the 
(iovernment canal in this section, took a contract 
for 120,000, which involved the employment of 100 
men. When this wa completed, he still continued 
as a contractor and builder, in which he was very 
successful, and accumulated sutticient means to 
establish his present business, in which he became 
engaged in 187(). His business otlice is located in 
the building which he eretted in 1 882, and besides 
his own handsome residence, he owns three other 
dwelling-houses wiiich are occupied by tenants. 

Mr. McNamara was married in 1855, to Miss 
Anne, the daughter of Patrick and Bridget Morau, 
of Bedford, Ind. Of this union there have been 
born six children, of whom the following are living: 
Cornelius, Frank, John and Charles. The three 
first-named are associated with their father in his 
business, and Charles is connected with the hard- 
ware firm of A. Weber & Co. The family residence 
is located at No. 812 Bank street, where its inmates 
enjoj' all the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
life. The family is connected with the Roman 
Catholic Church, and politicallj' Mr. McNamara 
casts his vote with the Democratic party. He is 
one of the prominent and substantial l)usiness men 
of Keokuk and takes a livelj' interest in everj'thing 



that pertains to the welfare of the Gate City. 
F'ormerly he was a member of the Board of Super- 
visors, and is now one of the Park Commissioners, 
and contributes cheerfully and liberally to every 
good work and purpose in his vicinity. 




ICHAKD E. GRIFFIS, a highly esteemed 
resident and farmer of Cedar Township, 
was born in Kentucky, Oct. 10, 18;3t). His 
^©; father, William GrifHs, was also a native of 
the same State, and his grandfather was a native 
of Wales, who came to America with his parents 
at an early period in the history of this coun- 
try, and located in Kentucky. They removed 
from this State to Indiana in about 1836, settling 
in Clay County, on a tract of timber land. There 
were few inhabitants in the region at that day, but 
those hardy pioneers were brave and persevering, 
and in due time cleared a farm and established a 
home in the wilderness. There they lived until 
1859, then sold out, and sought a home farther 
West, beyond the Father of Waters. Coming into 
Iowa, they purchased a farm in Jasper County, and 
here the grandparents of our subject passed the re- 
mainder of their lives. 

William Griffls, the father of our subject, was 
roared in Kentucky, and removed from his native 
State with his parents to Indiana. The renK)val 
was accomplished by means of four horses and a 
wagon. In the latter they loaded their household 
effects, and during the journey camped and cooked 
by the wayside. They built a hig liijuse upon a 
tract of timber land in Clay County, and became 
the possessors of a large acreage. The log cabin 
in due time was replaced by a substantial frame 
house, and they were prospered in their labors of 
clearing the land and tilling the soil. In 1851, ac- 
companied bj- his family, William Griftis started 
on an overland journey to Missouri. He only re- 
uuiined in that State, however, for one year, and 
then coming into Lee County, Iowa, rented a 
farm in Washington Township, upon which he con- 
tinued one year, and then purchased a tract of 
land and began its improvenient and <-ultivation, 




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remaining- here until two years before his death, | of Mrs. Griffls, was a native of the same State ii^\ 





which occurred in Neliraslia. 

In early manhood William Grittis w;is united in 
marriage with Miss Uutli Klsen, a native of Kcn- 
tiu;ky. She accompanied her husband through all 
his wanderings and shared in iiis toils and anxieties. 
She finally came with hiui to this county, and died 
in .Jefferson Townsliij). Of their union there were 
born six children, as follows: Ilezekiah lives in 
Crystal City, Dak. ; the second son is the subject of 
our sketch, and following came his brother James; 
.bihn lives in Pottawattamie County, Iowa; Mary 
A., the wife of .John 15ullard, lives in AVayne 
County, Iowa; the youngest child died in infancy. 

The subject of this history was but three years 
old when his parents removed from his native 
State to Indiana, and sixteen when thej' came to 
Lee County. He was reared to farming pursuits 
and remained under the parental roof until his 
marriage. He then rented a farm in A\'ashington 
Township, where he remained for two years, and 
then purchased a farm in Wayne County, which he 
occupied three years, then returned and settled on 
the old homestead in Lee County, which he oper- 
ated until 1.S07. He then purchased his present 
homestead. It was a tract of wild and unimproved 
land when he took possession of it, but through 
the exercise of ceaseless industry he has brought 
it to a high state of cultivation, and supplied it 
with valuable farm liuildings. The homestead con- 
sists of IGO acres, and Mr. (Triffls also has a finely 
improved farm of 181 acres in Marion Township. 

Hichard K. GrifHs and Miss Mary .Sawyer were 
united in marriage on the .^th of August, 1860. 
Mrs. G. was a native of this county, her birth oc- 
curring in Washington Township, Aug. 7, 1H41. 
Her father, .Tohn Sawyer, was a New Englander, 
born in Wendell, Franklin Co., Mass., where he was 
reared and married, and there remained until l«;i2. 
He then went to Ohio with his familj', remaining 
in that State four years, and from tliere went into 
the Territory of Wisconsin, settling on the Black- 
hawk Purchase, and soon thereafter in.ade a claim 
in Washington Towjisliip, this county. The laud 
- was not then even surveyed, but wiieii it came 
into market he located U)k»ii il and remained there 
until his de:itli. .Mrs. .Ipininja Sawyer, the niotliei- 



her husband, and coming West with iiim. departedj 
this life in Washington Township in 1.S.H4. Th 
parental househohl consisted of six children, as fol 
lows: Franklin is in Texas; Ashel is deceased 
William C. enlisted as a soldier in isiil, and die 
while in the, service in October of the same year 
Sarah M., the wife of Hezekiah tirillis, lives inm 
Custer City, Dak.; Martha .1., now Mrs. llaniill.''"''' 
lives in Mt. Ilamill; A'athaniel (i. is in Kansas. = {} 

Mr. and Mrs. Griffls of our sketch became lii 
parents of three children — Sylvester, Kilith an 
Herbert. Mrs. Griffls died Feb. -J, Is.sT. 
familj' is highlj' respected in this community, and; 
Mr. G. is faithfully fulfilling the obligations of ar 
good citizen. Politically he affiliates witli thej;3 
Democratic party, and is the friend of good order; J 
education, morality and religion. 



4 

': [I 



-^€-^^- 




R. T. J. MAX\\KLL, of Keokuk, Iowa 
has been a resident of the Gate City sine 
1882, and during this comparatively lu'ie 
j)eriod has taken rank among the first o 
his profession in this vicinity. He is a native officii 
Ohio, born in New Athens, Harrison County, or 
the Oth of March, 1837. His parents were Johi£|K 
and Jane (Orr) Maxwell, natives respectively' ofiei 
West \'irginia and Pennsylvania. 

Thomas Maxwell, the grandfather of our subject^; 
removed from his native .State to Ohio in 1804, an 
there engaged in farming pursuits. There the fa- 
ther of our subject was reared, and was engage 
with his father upon the farm until he attained Uit 
years of maturity, when he became a skilled me 
chanic, and w.as engaged in the building of mills an 
other important structures until 1842. He the 
crossed the Misssissippi to look over the conn 
try, and l)eing pleased with the prospect, renH)vef^ 
his family here in 1844, and located in Washingtor 
County. Here he pursued his building operations ii{| 
and around Crawfordsville until he ceased from hi| 
earthly labors in 18(;y. The wife of his youth surflE 
vived him sixteen years, dying in 188;'). They wer 
the parents of nine children, one of whom died i 
infancy. The others lived to mat ure years, anil six oj 





these latter are still living : Mary, Mrs. Allen, and 
ZipporaU, Mrs. Walker, are residents of Kansas; 
the fourth child was T. J., the subject of our 
sketch ; Emma, Mrs. McCall, and Elizabeth, Mrs. 
Anderson, are in Washington, Iowa; Rachel A., Mrs. 
Brook, is in Kansas. 

Dr. Maxwell of our sketch spent the greater part 
of his early years obtaining a primary education 
in the district schools. At the age of fourteen years 
he engaged as clerk in a store, and a part of the 
time attended the academy at C'rawfordsville. He 
then engaged in the furniture business for about 
one year, after which he sold out, and for the same 
length of time was occupied in teaching school. 
lie had been studious and ambitious, and now de- 
cided to take up the study of medicine. He ac- 
coidingly entered the office of Dr. Miles, of C'raw- 
fordsville, and remained for three years under the 
instruction of this eminent physician, in the mean- 
time being a close student of the best medical 
works extant. He then entered the Keokuk Col- 
lege of, Physicians and Surgeons, from which he 
graduated in 1861, and engaged in the practice of 
his chosen profession in Richmond, Washington Co., 
I(jwa. After a year's practice, the war then being 
in progress, he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon 
of the 3d I(.)wa Cavalry, and joined his regiment at 
Helena, Ark. He participated with his regiment 
in its various battles and marches, and in .July, 
1865, was commissioned Surgeon of the i;i8th 
1'. S. C. T., and was stationed at Atlanta until Jan- 
uar}' of the following year, when he was mustered 
out with his regiment and returned to his home at 
Crawfordsville. From this latter place Dr. Max- 
well removed to Washington, Iowa, thence to 
Olena, Henderson Co., 111., where he remained un- 
til 1878, engaged in the practice of medicine and 
surgery. From there he removed to Biggsville in 
the .same count}-, practicing in that vicinit}' for 
four years, and then re-crossed the Mississippi and 
located in the Ciate City. 

Dr. Maxwell was married, in 1866, at Crawfords- 
ville, Washington Co., Iowa, to Miss Elizabeth S. 
Riley, of Ohio. The household circle consists of 
foui' children living — .lohn R., Mabel ('., .Maude B. 
and Helen .].; two, Ralph S. and Nellie (i., having 
died in infancy. Their hiind^ome home is located 



at No. 727 Ninth street, and is the resort of th( 
most highly cultivated people of the city. Th( 
Doctor is Republican in politics, and a member ol 
the G. A. R. He occupies a high position among 
his professional brethren of the city ; he belongfc 
to the City Medical .Society, the Illinois Medic; 
Society, the Iowa Medical Society, and the Ameri 
can Medical Association. He is Surgeon on thci 
staff of the St. Joseph Hospital, and Professor of 
Anatomy at the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons of Keokuk, also local surgeon for the C. R. 
I. & P. R. R. Co. 





i 



of the honored 



f^EYTON DAWSON, one 
Jl pioneers of Lee County, is a resident of 
Cedar Township, and as a fine representative 
of that brave and courageous baud who 
first ventured into the country beyond the Missis 
sippi with the determination to establish a home, is' 
held iji deep veneration and respect. Not alone 
for this, however, is Mr. Dawson thus esteemed, 
but for his excellent personal traits of character 
which have gained for him the reputation of ai 
honest man and good citizen. 

Mr. Dawson is a native of Shelby County, Ky.Jjp^ 
born on the ;Jth of March, 181 'J. His father, Elijah jj 
Dawson, and his grandfather, John B. Dawson, jj [ 
were both natives of ^'irginia, and the latter, a boy | 
with CTCorge Washington. He also served as s 
soldier under the Father of his Country, and during 
the last years of his life enjoyed the benefits of 
pension from his Goverinuent. John B. Dawso: 
removed from his native State to Kentucky '• | ^ .^ 
about 1816, and settled in Shelby County, where h« ;i 
lived for sixteen years. Then, in 1832, he removed VM^ 
to Illinois and located near .Jacksonville, where h4|3p 
passed the last years of his life, and was buried 
with military honors, the trtiops of that military 
post being then under the command of Gen. J. J. 
Harding. 

Elijah Dawson, the father of our subject, was 
reared in bis native State of Virginia, and when 
young man went to Prince William County as over- 
seer on ft plantation lielonging to a Mr. (ieorge,!; 
whose grand-daughter, Miss Anna Colvin, he nfter-. 





ii 



ward married. In 1815 he removed to Kentucky 
with his wife and two children, and leased land in 
Shelby County. The whole distance, 700 miles 
through the wilderness, was made with teams, and 
after a residence of about seventeen years in Ken- 
tucky, Elijah Dawson once more iniUed up stakes, 
and repeating his former experiment set out over- 
land for Illinois. They cooked and camped by the 
wayside as before, and settled up<jn Morgan County 
as their first location, Mr. 1). purchasing land about 
five miles from Jacksonville. His purchase was 
unimproved, and he at once set about establishing 
his famil3' comfortably in a liy no means modern 
dwelling, and then beg.aii to prepare the soil for the 
first croi). Here they lived until the farm was 
brought to a good condition and saleable, and then 
Elijah Dawson solil his second homestead, and 
probably with the desire of Daniel Boone for "more 
room" determined to cross tlie Father of Waters 
and establish himself beyond the Mississip|)i. This 
journey, like the others, was made overland with 
teams, accompanied by his family and household 
possessions. Thej- stopped foi- one year in West 
Point, and afterward removed to the present site of 
Summitville, being the first to make a settlement 
in that region. Their cabin stood on the ])rairie a 
quarter of a mile north of wiiere the town now 
stands. Mr. D. purchased a claim of 300 acres on 
the "half-breed" tract, built a double log iiouse, 
and remained there until his death, which occurred 
in September. 1 84.5. 

The mother of our subject, before her marriage, 
was Miss Anna Colvin, of Prince William County, 
Va. She remained the faithful companion of her 
husband in all his wanderings and removals, and 
fulfilled the duties of a pioneer's wife with courage 
and patience, .she crossed the Mississippi with her 
husliand and cliildren, and juissed her last da3-s on 
the old homestead near Summitville. She and her 
husband were separated bj' death for on I}- the short 
space of twenty-f(jur hours, after which she followed 
him to the better land. The day following the 
death of the mother, the devoted household experi- 
TjTTJi^ q enced a third attiiction in the death of a sister, 
Eliza E., an interesting little girl of eleven years 
old. The three were buried in tme grave. 

Peyton Uawson of our sketch was the fourth child 





of his parents, and was twelve years old when the 
family removed from Kentucky to Illinois. He re- 
members all the interesting incidents connected with 
the overland journej', and entered into the spirit of 
the adventure with boyish enthusiasm. He assisted 
his father in the duties around the homestead, and 
as his mother was in ill-health for nearlj' three 
years, he was largely (jccupied in household duties. 
He came to Iowa with his parents, and after they SIH 

had been here one year he was married and com- Hu 

"1 1 
menced life on his own account. He purchased a Be i 

claim of 200 .icres of land which is now included fiti 

Ctl 
in the County Farm in Jackson Township. There K?i 

. . StP 

was a great deal of uncertainty in coimection with 

these claims in the half-breed tract, and Mr. D. 

hatl purchased his claim of a Mormon from Nauvoo, 

by whom he was assured that the title was perfect. 

He learned, however, before he moved upon it that 

it was to be "jumped." He called his neighbors to 

his assistance, and put up a log cabin in a liurry 

and moved into it. After living there two weeks 

two men called upon him and ordered liim to 

leave, but he took down his gun and made the same S|} 

suKtcestion to them, w-hich they followed uncon- | 

ditionally. The following week a companj' of eighty g 

men came to his place, and, halting a short distance Ij 

awaj', sent a delegation C)f twelve to parley with the i 

occupant of the new cabin. When they f(jund that i 

he would not be bullied but would fight to the 

death, they retreated, and he afterward "held the 

fort" unmolested. n 

Two years later Mr. Dawson sold his eight}' acres '^ 

and build a double log house on the spot now 

occupied by the county house. This he occupied 

one year, then sold out and removed to Jefferson 

County, and after a year spent at the latter place 

came into Lee County. Then, after the death of 

his parents, he purch.ased the old homestead and 

occupied it until 18;jl, when he sold this also, and 

two years later purchased the farm which he now 

owns and occupies. Mr. Dawson possessed con- ||; 

siderable of the adventurous spirit of his father, 

and seemed to delight in taking up a piece of wild 

land and oi)eiiing up a farm out of the wilderness. 

His last purchase was also wild prairie, upon which 

he erected a small frame house, which has since 

given place to a commodious farm residence. The B 




'i^saae£2ii 




RESIDENCE OF J05EPH KRICHEL, 5EC5. 11 & 12. JACKSON TP. 




BUSINESS HOUSE AND RESIDENCE OF HENRY SCHAR F EN B ERG , KEO KUK .10 WA . 




REHIDENCE OF HENRY GARVE R IC H , SEC . 17. DES MOINES TP. 



homestead is now supplied with good barns and 
outhouses, amply suitable for the storing of grain 
and the shelter of stock. He is the possessor of 17(5 
acres of finely improved hind and pasture, and be- 
sides this owns forty acres of valuable timber in 
Van Buren t'ounty. 

Mr. Dawson was marrieil in 1)S42, to Miss Ellen 
A. Stoddard, a native of Xew Hampshire. Mrs. 
Ellen Dawson f>nlv lived five years after her mar- 
riage, and l)ee;nne the nxjther of three children, one 
son and two daughters: Eliza E. became the wife 
of James Kennedy, the present Assessor of Cedar 
Township; Martha A. and E. P. are deceased. The 
second wife of Mr. Dawson, to whom he was mar- 
ried in 1S48, was Miss Sarah Sartore, of New York. 
She was born in Alleganj^ County, N. Y., Jan. 
26, 1826, and is the daughter of Zebulon and 
Nancy A. (Hoglan) Sartore, both natives of New 
Jersey'. They emigrated from their native State 
to Iowa in 1845, and located in Summitville, where 
Mr. S. purchased a tract of land and improved 
a farm, upon which he lived until 1851, and then 
sold out and removed to Clarke County, where 
both parents passed the remainder of their lives. 

By the second marriage of our subject have been 
born the following : Wesley lives in Henry County, 
Iowa; Linsej' M., in Cedar Township; the next was 
a daughter, Lucinda J. ; Commodore and Isadore 
were twins, and the two youngest are William Sher- 
man and ^linnie Bell. IMr. and Mrs. Dawson are 
prominently connected with the Christian Church, 
and Mr. D., who cast his first vote for Gen., Harri- 
son for President, is a stanch supporter of the Re- 
publican party. 



ylLLIAM TORLEY, a highly esteemed citi- 
zen of West Point, is successfully engaged 
as a dealer in boots, shoes, leather and gro- 
ceries. He came to this localitj- in 1872, at once 
establishing himself in business as a general mer- 
|a chant, and afterward confined his operations to his 
■^ present line of goods. He had had a ripe experience 
in trade, having been for twenty-two years clerk 
for A. (i. Adams, the well-known boot-and-shoe 
merchant of Burlington, Iowa. After leaving the 



'^ 



351 

service of this house he spent four months as a 
traveling salesman, and became one of the most 
popular men on the route. 

'J'he subject of our sketch is a native of the Em- 
pire of Germany, born in Prussia, Jan. 2, 1831. 
His father, who all his lifetime w;is eng,aged in 
farming i)ursuits, emigrated to this country in 1848, 
and is still living, at the age of eighty years, at 
Oquawka. 111. His son, our subject, came with the J 
balance of the family, and they all first settled in 
Des Moines County, Iowa. They were located on 
a farm near Burlington until 1850, wiien the father 
went across tlie phiins to the mining regions of 
California, and was there engaged three years with 
fair success. He then returned and retired from 
active labor, and is now living with his children. 

Mr. Torley is the owner of six lots and one good 
building beside his store. He has pursued a 
straightforward course, and his business has been 
conducted with system and good order. He was 
married in 1854, to Miss Maggie Bishop, of Bur- 
lington, a lady of German parentage and descent. 
Of this union there have been born eight children, 
six now living: Matilda and Louisa are married, 
and Julia, Emma, Libbie and May are at home 
with their parents. The deceased are Etta and an 
infant unnamed.. Mr. and Mrs. Torley are mem- 
bers in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Politically Mr. T. is solidly Republican, 
and has been Village Trustee for two terms. 



HOMAS DOBSON, one of the early settlers 
of Lee Count}', came to this section in the 
fall of 1855, from Quebec, Canada, to which 
he had emigrated from his native England nine 
weeks before. He first settled with his family in 
West Point Township, where they lived until 1870, 
and then removed to Washington Township, which 
has since been their home. The farm estate of Mr. 
D. comprises 120 acres, pleasantly located on section 
17, eighty of which is tillable and under a good 
state of cultivation. 

Thomas Dobson was born in Westmoreland 
County, England. Aug. 8, 1820, .-ind is the son of 
Isaac and Hannah (Garner) Dobson. He was 



n 










BN 



5:;j 



mm 





leared on a farm in his native country, and was 
there married, April 22, 1855. to Miss Elizabeth 
Campbell, a native of Y<>rkr*hire, who was born 
Sept. 2;3. 1«;30. They became the parents of four 
children, of whom the record is as follows: Eliza- 
lieth died in Washington Township, Sept. .'). 1K77; 
ThomnsC. married Miss Amanda Mills, and resides 
ill Washington Township; Mary J. is a teacher; | 
Kdward W. married Miss Libbie I'atten, and 1 
resides in Albuquerfpie, N. M. Mr. and Mrs. ! 
I), are connected with the Methodist Church, 
and politically our subject uniformly votes with 
the Republican party. 

Dnrinii their passage to America Mr. and Mrs. 
Dobson met with a thrilling adventure and a mir- 
aculous escape from death. The vessel, containing 
over 700 passengers, was shipwrecked near the banks 
of Newfoundlaiul, and those who were on board 
liarely escaped with their lives. The vessel became 
a total wreck and, with many others, Mr. and Mrs. 
1). were taken into lifeboats, and landed in Quebec 
nearly destitute, having lost all their clothing and 
money. Through the aid of friends, Mr. 1). obtained 
sufficient means to reach this section, and thus, as it 
will be seen, commenced at the foot of the ladder 
ill common with many of the other early settlers of 
this region. He was not by any means dismayed at 
the disaster which had overtaken him, but put to 
good use his natural talents of energy and industry, 
and ill due time was rewarded with success. 



^^-»^- 



-<J- 




present position by the exercise of his own indns-a 

try, the circumstances which suri-ouiidetl iiis youth; 

com|)clling him to make his own way in tlic world.: 

Dr. Ingersoll was born in Ogdeii, Monroe Co.,: 

>.'. Y., Sept. 26, 1823, and is the sou of Theodore: 

S. and I>ydia (Brewer) Ingersoll, natives of Massa-^}; 

chusetts. His f;ither in early life was engaged in 

the shoe business, and subsequently in agricultural §;;} 

pursuits, and during the last thirt\' years of his lifeE i 

" - 1 
was occupied in the jewelry business at OI)erlin;;i 

and at Elyria, Ohio. He was induced to emigrates i 

to Oberlin in conipany with a colony w^liich had: ^i 

been formed for the purpose of settling up that: ji 

section, and was one of the founders of Oberlin -jti 

College, which h.as since obtained such a wide repu-;ii\ 

tation as an institution of learning. For the estab-ar-n 

lishment of this, he gave of his means liberally', butHlii 

in the crisis of 1837 lost the greater part of hisiii 

property, and his son, our subject, was consequently 31; i 

thrown ui)on his own resources. aln 

The parental fainilv consisted of six children, tive;-! 

■ ;n 

of whom are still living' — Harriet N., Timothy D.,:ii 

William 15., W. Willshire and the subject of thisSji 

narrative. Sli 

Luman C. Ingersoll was naturally studious and^Ei 

ambitious, and notwithstanding his father's reverseCEi 

of fortune, determined to pursue his education.:^! 

:;i 
After the completion of his primary studies he en-p^i 

tered Oberlin College, from which he graduated in^B 

184(;. After spending a few years in general edu-5ci 

cational pursuits, he entered the dental office ofgs} 

his brother at Oberlin, where he remained untilll} 

1853, and was then in the employ of Robinson <feg'" 

Ambler, of Cleveland, Ohio, for the space of six 

months. He then engaged in business for himself 

in that city, following the practice of his profession 

there for ttve years, after which he sold out and 

came to Keokuk. Of the dentists who were here 



R. LUMAN C. IN(;ERS0LL, of Keokuk, 
Iowa,. is one of the leading dentists of the 
Mississii)pi Valley, and in ever}' respect 
has mastered the science which admits of I at the time of his coming, he is the only one re-6|} 



so much skill. He is not only highly educated in 
the profession of dentistry, but has been student 
of a wide range of subjects, and possesses literary 
attainments of more than an ordinary' degree. In 
his studies jind practice he has taken rank above 
mere mechanical dentistry, and has made of it an 
art ill .st'cking to preserve the symmetry of the face 
:inil the tones of the voice. He has arrived at his 



an 



mainnig. and has closely followed this i)usuiess, 
in tiie meantime securing every valuable workbear-3|} 
ing upon the subject, and all the appliances which 
would assist him to excel. In addition to his ex 
tensive reading, he has become the author of many; 
valuable articles pertaining to this branch of sur-g 
gery, and luis recently published a book called; 
" Dental Science, or Dent'il .Materia Medica, Deii-r'^ 




„..,..., , ^AfUUL^s^ pasggg, 



t^^^^^i^ 








LEE COUNTY, 



tal Physiology, Dental Pathology and Therapeu- 
tics." 

Dr. lugersoll is a member of the State Dental 
Society, and was President for three years. He 
also belongs to the American Dental Associiition. 
He received the degree of Master of Arts from 
Oberlin College in IKGO. In 1882 he was elected 
Dean of the Dental Department of the State Uni- 
versity of Iowa, at Iowa City, which position he 
still holds. As a citizen he has been actively in- 
terested in everything pertaining to the welfare of 
his communit}', and has contributed of his time 
and means to advance its industrial interests. For 
two years he was President of the Library Asso- 
ciation, and lie is a Director of the Keokuk Stove 
Works, which are prominently located on the cor- 
ner of Twelfth and Johnston streets. He has ac- 
cumulated considerable property. 

Dr. Luuian C. Ingersoll and Miss Maria Porter 
were united in marriage in the State of New York, 
in April, 1 8.50. Mrs. lugersoll is a highlj' accom- 
plished lad}- and the daughter of Judge T. H. Por- 
ter of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., who for many 
3'ears served the State in the Legislative Depart- 
ment, serving also one term in the United States 
Congress. The Doctor and his lady occupy a beau- 
tiful residence at the intersection of Seventh and 
Orleans streets, whicli is one of the finest dwellings 
in this sectiou, with beautifully ornamented grounds 
and all the appliances of cultivated taste and am- 
ple means. 

Dr. Ingersoll and his wife are the center of a 
large cii'cle of friends and acquaintances, who com- 
prise the most highlj' cultivated people of the Gate 
City. His long residence here has made his name 
a familiar one throughout this section, and his 
genial disposition, kindly manners and straightfor- 
ward business methods have attained for him a 
standing second to that of no man in the State. 
He is a liright example of what a worthy ambition 
and steady perseverance will accomplish. His 
worldlj- possessions have been the legitimate re- 
sult of honest labor, whicli has been conducted b}' 
more than ordinary intelligence and researcii. To 
aid him in going through college he taught and 
studied at tiie same time, giving special lessons in 
those branches in which he was most proficient. 



He has been paid the high compliment of an invi 
tation to prepare a paper for the Dental and Ora i? 
Section of the Intei-national Medical Congress whicir 
meets at Washington City in September, 1887, and 
has consented t<j do so. 



ill 



VOHN B. KIEL, a successful hardware mer- 
chant of Montrose, is a native of Lee 
County, and was born in December, 1845. 
He is the son of George and Charlotte 
(Trump) Kiel, natives of Germany, who came toj 
America and located at P't. Madison, Iowa, in' 
about 183G. George Kiel was a piano and organ 
maker by trade, and manufactured the first musical 
instrument in the State of Iowa, in the year 1838 
The date of his birth was 1 803, and he died in Ft 
Madison in 18(51. The mother, Mrs. Charlotte 
Kiel, was born in (iermany in 1823, and is still liv- 
ing at Montrose. The parental household eon- } P 
sisted of four children — John B., George AV., Adol-r''^ -" 
phus E. and Edith M. D. 

The subject of our sketch remained under the 
parental roof uutil manhood, receiving a fair edu- 
cation in the public schools of Ft. Madison. On the 



m 



14th of December, 1870, he was united in marriage l[^S 
with Miss Mary Wilson. Mrs. Kiel is a native of|: 
Iowa, born in Lee County, July 28, 1848, and is ai i 
daughter of Joim and Rebecca S. Wilson, the for- i \ 
mer of whom died when Mrs. K. was about sixlMsl 
months old. She was about seven j-ears of age! 
when her mother came to Montrose, and remainecii 
at home until her marriage. Of her union with oui*!! 
subject there have been no children. 

At tiie age of eigiiteen years Mr. Kiel learnec 
the tinner's trade in Ft. Madison, and three ^-ear^jjip 
later, in 186G, he set uji in business under the namd 
and style of Miller & Kiel, at Montrose. In January, 
18(i9, our subject purchased the interest of his I 
partner and assumed the management of the busi- 
ness. In connection with his tin stock he added 
stoves, hardware, and everything pertaining to I 
that line. He has been prosperous in his undertak- 
ing and is one of the representative business men 
of Montrose. 

Mr. Kiel is popular uuiong his associates, and'^ 




^' -* 



i3 



socially is connected with the A. F. & A. M., belong- 
ing to .loppa lAxXge No. i;:!G, at Montrose, of which 
he has been Woi-shipful Master for several terms. 
He is also P. 11. P. of Potowoiiok Chapter No. 
2^, R. A. M., at Ft. Madison, and a nienil)er of 

Damascus C iiiamUMy No. .">. K. '!"., at Keokuk, 

and was a charter nicmher of Cascade Lodge No. 
GO. I. O. O. F., Iiaving also occupied the chair in 
that order. In .idditioii to these, he also belongs to 
the K. of P.. Aluvipetuck !,odge Nt). 115, at .Mont- 
rose, of which he was First P.ist Chancellor, and 
also a nienilicr of M;iilh.-i Cliaptel- No. ;'), (). K. S., 
at Jlonlrosc. 

Mr. Kiel is a incnilier of tlie Kpiscopal Cluu-ch, 
and lias been Supcrintrndciil of tlic Siibliath-school 
for ten years, lie was the Mayor of .Montrose in 
1873, has held the odicc of City Recorder, and also 
tliat of City 'rre:i>incr for fourteen years, lie is 
most intimately idenlilied witli the interests of 
Montiose Townshii), not only from an industrial 
point of view, but because he has been the warm 
I supporter of every movement tending to her wel- 
I fare, whether morally, religiously or educationally. 






ON. A. II. EVANS, of ilu' lumber firm of 
Evans ct Sheppard, located on B and Rail- 
road streets, Keokuk, tiist came to this cit3' 
in 1877, and with his present partner pur- 
chased a retail grocery store on Main street. Thej- 
continued in the business for about two 3'ears, 
when the_v disjwsed of the same, ;ind embarked in 
the enterprise in which they arc at present engaged, 
and in which they have met with far more than or- 
dinary success. 

A. II. Evans was born in New .Jersey, in 1840, 
and is the son of Lewis S. and Elizabeth (Hart) 
3 Evans, also natives of the same State. The father 
was a school teacher by profession, and also p.assed 
a portion of his years m merchandising. He de- 
parted this life in KSf."), and the demise of the 
mother of our subject occurred in 18(!7. The par- 
ental family comprised tliiee children, of whom A. 
II. is the oul}' one who survives. His father died 
when he was about live years old, and on reaching 
the .age of ten years he left the home and went to 

K 

1^ 



work on a farm, receiving as remuneration for his 

services his board and clothes, and three months' 
schooling each j'ear until he was sixteen years of 
age. Arriving at this age he apprenticed himself 
to learn the cabinet business, which he mastereil. 
and at which he labored until the breaking out of 
the late Civil War.^ At the first call for 75,0(iii 
men our subject enlisted. He served out his term 
of eidistment, three months, and returning home 
re-enliste 1 in the yth New Jersey Regiment, and 
served through the war, coming back home when 
the terrible conflict was ended, in 1Mb, a CaiJtain. 
He was engaged in the following battles: Roanoke 
Island, N. C. : Newburn; Drury's Bluff; Cold Har- 
bor; siege of Pittsburg, and was taken prisoner at 
Wise's Fork, and after four days made his escape, 
returning to the Union lines after an absence of 
twelve da3's, which was accorapli.shed by hiding 
during the da.ytime and traveling under cover of 
darkness at night. 

After the close of the war Mr. Evans settled in 
Arkansas, and was engaged in raising cotton and 
mcicli.indising, and also in lumbering. He has 
been in comi)an3' with his present partner since 
18G5. Tlic\' were in business in Arkansas from 
l^G;-) to 1877, when thej' sold most of their interests 
there and c.-ime to Keokuk, and have since, with 
tha exce|)tion of two years, conducted the business 
in whieh they are at present engaged. They have 
in their employ in the busy part of the season from 
twent}' to forty-five men. 

While a resident of Arkansas Mr. Evans was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention at Little 
Rock, and in 18G7 he was elected to the State Sen- 
ate. At the present writing he is Alderm.Tn froni 
the Third Ward, and is also one of the Directors of 
the Loan and Building Association at Keokuk. He 
is a Repulilican in politics, and socially is ;i niem- 
bei- of the Masonic fraternity-. Mr. Evans was 
united in marri.age with Miss R. M. Sheppard, a na- 
tive of New Jersey, and daughter of William K. 
.Sheppard, in 1869. Their union has been product- 
ive of live children — Mabel, Louis S., Elizabeth II., 
George C. and James R. ; the last named is de- 
ceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Evans are both members of the 
Presbyterian Church. He has taken a deep inter- 



: 1 



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4! s^HSa fcaSs a ia ^ 







LEE COUNTY. 



est in the affairs of State and nation, and is one of 
the foremost citizens of the city in which he lives. 
His residence is on the corner of Seventh and 
Franlvlin streets, where, surrounded by his happy 
children and loving wife, he is enjoying the pleas- 
ures of life. 

^OHN MITCHELL, a prosperous and enter- 
prising fanner residing on section 10, Wash- 
ington Township, owns and occupies a com- 
fortable homestead which he has acquired by 
the exercise of his native industry and the stanch 
perseverance of the warm-hearted Celtic race. The 
subject of our sketch is a native of Ireland, and 
was born Maj' 13, 1823. His earl}' life was spent 
on a farm, and then from the age of fourteen until 
nearly twenty-one, he was engaged as a weaver of 
linen. Not being satisfied with his condition or his 
prospects in his native country, he then decided to 
emigrate to America, the western part of which 
was holding out rare inducements to the young 
and enterprising emigrant. He accordingly set 
sail from Portrush, and after a prosperous voyage 
landed in New York City and obtained emplojnnent 
as a carpet weaver, which he followed for the suc- 
ceeding thirteen months. He then went to Phila- 
delphia, and was similarly' <KCupied until the spring 
of 1851, when he turned his steps westward, and 
crossing the Mississippi, came into Van Buren 
County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and 
■located for one year. He then sold out, and the 
J following spring came into Lee County and settled 
: in Washington Township. Here he provided com- 
fortably for his wife and child, and then started on 
an overland trip to California. He spent about 
four years in the mines, met with fair success, and 
in the spring of 1856 returned to Ins family in 
|E Washington Township. He then purchased the 
! homestead which he has since occupied, and has 
; been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits 
■ and stock-raising. The homestead comin-ises 213 
acres, finely cultivated, a handsome brick residence, 
good barns and out-buildings, valuable farm imple- 
ments and machinery, and all the appliances neces- 
sary for the carrying on (.)f agriculture and stock- 
raising after the most approved methods. 




Mr. Mitchell wns married in Philadelphia, Pa., 
.July 3, 1849, to Miss Jane Brewster, a native of 
his own country, liorn Nov. 25, 1830. Of this 
union there have been liorn seven children, of 
whom the record is as folhjws : Two died in infancj' ; 
John married Miss ^lary Shay, who died in Jeflfer- 
son Township; Martha is the wife of James McAlis- 
ter; Charles and John are residents of Leadville, 
Col. ; Mary is the wife of Alvin L. Murphy, and 
resides in Denmark Township, this county; Maggie 
is at home with her parents. Mr. Mitchell has 
taken an active interest in the welfare of his com- 
munity, and has held some of the minor township 
offices. The parents, with their two daughters, 
■Martha and Mary, are connected with the Presby- 
terian Church, and politically Mr. Mitchell affiliates 
with the Republican party. 



^^^ HARLE.S KLINGLER, an industrious and 
[1 enterprising German farmer of Charleston 

^^^J Township, is comfortably located on section 
10, and enjoying the fruits of his honest labors. 
The date of his birth was Oct. 16, 1830, and he re- .. . . 
raained in his native Germany until he wasaj'oung [ m 
man twenty-two years of age, and his mind oc- 
cupicd with plans for the future. Not being satis- 
fied with his condition or his prospects in his na- 
tive land, he set sail for America, and in the spring 
of 1852 established himself in Erie Count}', N. Y., 
where he remained for about nine ye.nrs. Thence 
he removed to Lake Count}', 111., and purchased a 
farm, which he occuiiicd and cultivated for about 
six years. He then sold out, crossed the Missis- 
sippi, and came into the Hawkeye State. He pur- 
chased a farm of 102 acres located on section 10, 
in Charleston Township, Lee County, where he es- 
tablished a home and has since remained. In due 
time he added to his first purchase, and now has 142 
acres of tillable land, the most of it under a good 
state of cultivation. 

During his residence in Erie County, N. Y., Mr. 
Klingler was married, June 9, 1853, to Miss Sallie 
M. Reinhart, a native of France, who was born 
Oct. 8, 1835. She was about six years old when 
she came to America with her parents, and re- 









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M, 356 



LEE COUNTY, 



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mained with tlu^iii until her inarriage. Mr. .nid 
Mrs. K. arc the parents of eight chihhen, the liricf 
history of whom is jus follows: Keinhart mariieil 
Miss Christine Theroflf, and resides in Franklin 
Township ;Sallie is the wife of Jacob Renty. of 
Charleston Township: Magdalena, Mrs. George 
Weber, resides in the latter-named township; the 
remaining children are Charles, (leorge, Albert, 
Lucy and John. 

Mr. Klingler has lieen (piite prominent in the 

I public affairs of his townsiiii), having held the 

oflices of Road Supervisor, T(jwnship Trustee, and 

.other minor positions. He and his wife are mem- 

h bers of the German Lutheran Church, and politi- 

S^]c-ally Mr. K. affiliates with the Democratic party. 

HOM AS HARTLEY, of Montrose Town.ship, 
is head engineer of the (iovernment Ouard, 
or I'pper Lock, (jn the Des Moines liapids 
Covernment Canal, a position requiring the exer- 
cise of large experience and a cool head. Mr. 
sU Hartley is considered peculiarly well qualified for 
3 this res]ionsible position. The subject of this biog- 
raphy is the son of George and Elizabeth (Moat) 
Hartley, natives of Yorkshire, England, where thej- 
were married. They came to America in 1833, 
proceeding at once to Wheeling, W. \'a., where the 
died three j'cars later, in 183G. George 
was a brewer by occupation, and survived 
thirty-two years, dying in 1868. They 
were the parents of eight children — Charles, Will- 
iam, Ann, Moses, Thomas, John, George and Henry. 
Thomas Hartley is tlie fifth child of his parents' 
family, and w.as born April 12, 182^. He remained 
under the parental roof until he arrived at years of 
manhood, and was united in marriage with Miss 
nn Goss. Mrs. Hartley was born in 183G. Of 
;heir union has been born one child, Charles, who 
i narried Miss Mary Mathena, and is now engaged 
as a machinist in Burlington, Iowa. 

Thomas Hartley came to the Hawkeye State in 

^^^^11854 and located in Keokuk. He had learned the 

ade of machinist and also that of engineering, in 

Wheeling, W. Va., in 1847. He took charge of the 

Upper Lock as head engineer in 1 H7it, and since 






that time has thus been continuously engaged. He 
occupies a comfortable homestead and enjoys the 
esteem of his fellow townsmen. In politics he af- 
filiates witli the Republican party. 



""""7"^^/^^^^^"° 




APT. GKORtiE E. DAVIS, of Ft. Madison, 
is a member of the firm of Davis. Dodd A' 
Co., dealers in real estate, loans and insur- 
ance. The firm is transacting a profital)le business, 
and its members are composed of some of the best 
men of Ft. Madison. Capt. Davis is a native of 
Massachusetts, Ijorn in Worcester County, Sept. 
6, 18311. His parents were George and Nancy H. 
(White) Davis, also natives of the Bay State, where 
thej' passed their entire lives. The household con- 
sisted of four children, of whom two only are liv- 
ing, Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Schakley, of Bos- 
ton, Mass., and George E., the subject of our 
sketch. Capt. Davis was deprived of a mother's 
care at an early age, and when a lad of thirteen 
years was thrown upon his own resources. He was 
without money, but he determined to obtain a good 
education, and after a primary course in the public 
schools, he entered an academy and attended three 
terms, during which time he took care of the build- 
ings and sawed wood to pay for his tuition and did 
"chores" for a farmer to paj' his board. 

After comiileting his education, young Davis be- 
came employed in a chair manufactory. In May, 
1861, he responded to the call for troops by enlist- 
ing in the United States service, and was mustered 
into Co. G. 21st Mass. Vol. Inf. He was soon 
promoted to the rank of Orderly Sergeant, after- 
ward to Sergeant Major, and in April, 1863, was 
commissioned First Lieutenant. In January, 1864, 
he w.as commissioned Adjutant, and held this rank 
until he received an honorable discharge from the 
service, and was then breveted Captain. He en- 
dured with his regiment bravely and courageouslv 
the vicissitudes of war, and participated in the bat- 
.tles of Roanoke Island, Newbern, Camden, Bull 
Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Freder- 
icksburg, the siege of Knoxville, Lenoirs, Camp- 
bell, Strawberry Plains, the Wilderness, the perilous 
crossing of the .James River and the seige of Peters- 






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Sbnrg, which consumed the time from June 1 7 to 

}i|July 30. On the latter date he was wounded at 

[igthe explosion of a mine in front of Petersburg, and 

[; Eon account of the injuries received was honoralily 

disciiarged from the service. 

At the close of his military career, Capt. Davis 
eturned to Massachusetts. His wounds remained 
for a long time unhealed, and he was onlj' able to 
do very light work, but was variously employed 
las he was able, and at the expiration of five j^ears 
resumed his former employment in a chair manu- 
ifactory. In 1877 he came West, making his loca- 
ion at Ft. Madison, and for seven years thereafter 
was occupied as foreman in the Ft. Madison chair 
manufactory, after which he became engaged in 
his present business. 

While home on a furlough in February, 1 864, 
jCapt. Davis was united in marriage with Miss 
Helen M. Puffer, a native of his own State, born in 
A\'orcester County. The household circle includes 
three children — Winnefred, Herl)ert and Ethel. 
Capt. Davis is held in high regard by his fellow- 
townsmen on account of his straight business tran- 
sactions, and his genial social disposition. Politi- 
cally he is a stanch supixirter of the Rei)iil)liean 
party, and socially is a Royal Ai-ch Mason, and has 
been connected with the G. A. R. since 1 S68. He 
is enterprising and liberal minded, and contributes 
cheerfully of his means to the support of any 
measure calculated to be for the general welfare of 
his community. Capt. Davis was elected and com- 
|nmissioned Captain of Co. F, '2d Regiment, I. N. 
i?(T., March 5, 1887. 



«.^t^^.-i»»^ 




"^it-.*^*;-* 



F/rn JOHNSON. The subjei't of the fol- 
lowing history is one of the most honored 
residents of the Hawkeye State, and has 
been favorably' known in this secti<ni for 
Emore than thirty years. He first opened his eyes 
sto the light among the rugged New England hills, 
having been born in Middletown, Conn., on the sth 
of August, 1798. He is tiie son of Daniel and Lu- 
Ecretia (Prout) Johnson, natives of the same State 
Sas their son. wliere they remained until after their 
In aliout l.SO-2 the familv removed to New 




Hampshire, and ten years later to Oneida County, 
N. V. Thej' afterward went into Herkimer County, 
where the lives of the parents terminated, the fa- 
ther having arrived at the advanced age of ninet}'- 
four years, and the nu)ther at eightj'-eight years. 
The household circle included six children, all of 
whom grew to years of maturity, but are all now 
deceased except the subject of our sketch, wlio was 
the eldest of the family. 

Seth Johnson assisted his father in opening up 
a farm in the woods of Herkimer County, and re- 
mained under the parental roof until his marriage, 
which took place Sept. 9, 1821. The maiden of his 
choice was Miss Lavina A. Adams, of Oneida 
County, N. Y., who was born March 1(3, 1804. 
After their marriage they resided in Herkimer, Jef- 
ferson and Oneida Counties, where Mr. .Johnson 
was variously engaged uutil the year 1834. He 
then removed to Huron County, Ohio, and there 
they resided until 1854, at which time they crossed 
the Mississippi and came into the Hawkej'e .State. 
Mr. Johnson had purchased a large tract of land in 
Jasper C<junty, and here they settled for a time, 
and then removed into Lee County, locating upon 
a tract of 240 acres which Mr. Johnson had also 
previouslj- i)urchased. There they established a 
homestead and remained permanently. For many 
years they were industriously' employed in beauti- 
fying and improving their farm, until it became a 
point of attraction for all travelers through that 
section. The proprietors of the farm also became 
prominent in their locality, and highly esteemed 
on account of their admirable traits t)f character. 
They proved kind neighbors and excellent friends, 
and assisted materially in the progress of moralitj' 
and religion. 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson became the pai-ents of ten 
children, of whom the record is .as follows : Daniel 
died in infancy; Reuben A. is a farmer of Custer 
County, Neb.; Natlianiel II. served as a soldier of 
the Union in the 13th Iowa Regiment, and yielded 
up his life at the liattlc of Shiloh, April 7, 1862; 
Seth, Jr., died in Ohio; Robert left home at the age 
of twenty-one yeai-s for California, and is supposed 
to have died there ; .John is a resident of Lee 
County, Iowa ; Lucretia became the wife of Lewis 
Keeler, of this count}' ; Rosella married Benjamin 




F. BaiT, who was a solilicr in llif Kir.-t Iowa Cav- 
alry, and (lied at Moinphis, Teiin. ; she resides with 
her parents; ClKiuncy is operating a farm in Lee 
County; Nelson resides at Ft. Madison. 

.Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have lived together as- 
husband and wife f(jr the long period of sixty -five 
years, and are l)Oth in good health and enjoying 
the fruits of tiieir early labors. They are sincere 
Christians, and for long years have been connected 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the sup- 
port of which they have contributed liberally and 
(■heerfidly. Mr. .1. has uniformly cast his vote 

MM} with the Kepul)lican party since the election of 
Franklin Pierce. He has been active in the affairs 

— — . of his township, and much interested in the cause 

|;-: I of education. 




-•->-<?< 



■>•»■ ' 'V 




77th Pa. \iil. Inf.. and served until the close of E 

the war. He participated with his comrades in all 5 

the i)rincipai battles; was at Shiloh, the siege of St 

Corinth, the battles of Stone River. Liberty Gap, ||; 

Perrvville, Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, 

and joining the command of Gen. Sherman, was in 

all the important battles of the Atlanta campaign, ^ fii 

including the siege and caj)ture of the latter citj', 5 KI 

and the battles of Franklin and Nashville which : iJ 

followed. Ho bears an honorable sear from a : ' 

wound received at Stone River. Mr. Spreen had : . 

; 1 

veteranized in Feliruary. ls(;4. and was promoted c 1 

Sergeant Major of the regiment, and after the close Elf 

of the war went to Texas with his regiment, remain- : '. 






n,|j^^ KNRY C. SPRKEN, a highly esteemed citi- 
Ir^i zcn of Ft. Madison, is a native of Prussia, 
born in the Province of Westphalia, Sept. 
13. 1«4;5. His father, Charles L. Spreen, 
was a native of the same Province, a weaver by 
trade, and followed that (jccupation in his native 
country until 1H,t9, when, accompanie<l l>y his wife, 
he emigrated to the Fnited States, where his chil- 
dren had previously located. He settled in Pitts- 
liiirgh. Pa., where he spent his last days, I'etired 
from active labor, in the society of his children. 
"Tg— kt Of these the household circle included seven, two 
C H of whom died in (iermany and the rcTuaining five 
came to America: Frank W. is a wholesale grocer i 
of Pittsburgh, Pa.,' Frederick, a merchant tailor, 
died there in I)ecend>er, 18«.5; Henry C, our sub- 
ject, was the fifth in order of birth; \\'ilhelmina, 
now .Mrs. Mi hlnian. lives in Pittslairgh, and Dora, 
Mrs. Lampe, is deceased. 

The subject < f our sketch attended school in his 
native country until he was fifteen years of age, 
and soon afterward set sail for America, embarking 
at liremen August 1. and lauded in New York 
City on the 17th of September following. He 
joined a brothei' at Pittsburgh, and remained in his 
employ as clerk for three jears folkjwing, or until 
about the time of the breaking out of the late war. 
He then enlisted as a soldier of the Union in Co. B, 



ing in service until December of the foUowin 
year, and was mustered f)ut .Ian. 1(1, 1866. He had S:ji 
perhaps, not been conspicuous for an3' brilliant ac- ^'') 
tion during his long term of service, but he had : 
faithfully and patiently performed all the duties of -: 
a soldier, and received an honorable discharge at 
the close. 

After Mr. Spreen had once more l)ecome a civil- 
ian he returned to Pittsburgh, and was engaged in 
mercantile pursuits for the following nine years. 
He then disposed of his interests in the East, ||;} 
crossed the Mississippi, and came into Ft. ftLadison, E;} 
where he decided to locate permanently, and has 
remained here since that time. The marriage of 
Henr^v C. Spreen and AHss Sophie \'oight w.as cele- 
brated on the 4th of September, 1KG7. Mrs. S. is 
a native of the same Province as her husband, and 
came to this country before her marriage. 

Mr. Spreen is a prominent man among his coun- 
trymen in this vicinity. He is a member of Ger- 
mania Loilge No. 509, A. F. <fe A. M., of Pitts- 
burg, and Potowonok Chapter No. 28, Ft. Madi- 
son, R. A. C. He also belongs to -Damascus Com- 
manderj' No. .5. Keokuk, Humboldt Lodge No. 42, 
K. of P., and was ?'irst (irand Chancellor, and is 
now Past (irand of Concordia Lodge No. 133, 
L (). (). F. He also belongs to the A. O. W. D. of 
Druids, No. 2tS, of Burlington; V. A. S. fraternity 
of Coleguim, No. .51, Ft. Madison; and James B. 
Sami)le Post No. 171, G. A. R., and was Com- 
mander of Will Adams Post, the first one organized 
here. 

Mr. Spreen was reared in the Lutheran Church, 



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and adheres loyally to the religious faith of his par- 
ents. He is a straightforward business man, honest 
and upright in his transactions, the friend of law 
and order, and is fulfilling with credit all the obli- 
gations of a good citizen. A view of the fine three- 
story brick business house of Mr. Spreen is pre- 
sented on another page. 



iV5t 



(^ J/7ILLIAM H. TURNER, M. D., a prominent 
tizen and physician of Jackson Township, 
he proi)rietor of a fine homestead con- 
sisting of l.o7 acres of valuable land, a handsome 
brick dwelling-house, good barns and outhouses, 
and everything necessary for the comfort and con- 
venience of himself and family. This property is 
pleasantly located on section 28, and in his char- 
acter, both as physician and farmer, Dr. Turner is 
widely and favorably known throughout this 
section. 

Our subject is a native of Scioto Count}', Ohio, 
and was born Sept. 10, 1834. His parents were 
John G. and Elizabeth C. (Smith) Turner, natives 
respectively of Maryland and Kentucky. They 
were married in Adams County, Ohio, and settled 
in Bracken County, Ky., where they lived for about 
three years, and thence removed to Scioto County, 
Ohio, which remained their home ft)r several years, 
when they returned to Kentuckj' and located in 
Lewis County. From there, in 18.52, they crossed 
the Father of AVaters, and came into Lee County, 
Iowa, locating in Jackson Township, where the 
father died in 1863. The mother afterward 
removed to Keokuk, where her decease occurred 
in about 18i!7. 

The parental familj* of our subject included ten 
children, six sons and four daughters, of whom 
William H. was the fourth in order of biith. He 
was eighteen years of age n-hen he came to Lee 
County with his parents. Before coming to Iowa 
he was employed as a pilot on the Ohio River, and 
while in that capacitj^ improved all his leisure 
moments in study, and by that means mostly, 
obtained his elementarj- education ; he afterward 
attended college at Ma^'sviUe, Ky. Before coming 
West he had taken up the stud}' of medicine, which 



he pursued after coming to Iowa under the in- 
struction of John F. Sandford, M. D., of Keokuk, 
with whom he remained for about four years. At 
the expiration of this time he began to practice, 
and finally located in Keokuk, remaining there^for 
about three j-ears, and subsequentl}- removed into 
Jackson Township, where he has since lived upon 
his farm. 

During the progress of the late Civil War, Dr. 
Turner was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the 
2d Iowa Infantry, and remained in the service from 
the summer of 1861 until the close of the war in 
1805. He then returned to Jackson Township and 
resumed the practice of his profession, whicli ho 
has alternated by the supervision of his farm and 
engaging in its lighter pursuits. The Doctor is a 
graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons 
.nt Keokuk, and also of the Iowa Medical College, 
receiving his diploma from the former in 1856. 
During President Arthur's administration he was 
appointed Medical Examiner on the Board at 
Keokuk, and held that position until a new board 
was organized under the Cleveland administration. 

Dr. Turner was married in Jackson Township, 
March 26, 1866, to Miss Ruth M. Chambers, of 
Marietta, Ohio. They have become the parents of 
four children: L. Jean, William D., Mary E. and 
Donna E. ; the latter died at the age of six years. 
The Doctor takes an intelligent interest in all 
matters pertaining to the welfare of his county and 
townshi]), and contributes of his time and means 
to the support and encouragement of every worthy 
enterprise. He is an intelligent phjsician, and takes 
great pleasure in the prosecution of his agricultural 
])ursuits and all the business pertaining thereto. 
In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife 
are lioth members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. A portrait of Dr. Turner appeal's in con- 
nection with this sketch. 



/^ APT. WILLIAM SAMPLE, who was -an hon- 
(l( °^^^ pioneer of Ft. Madison, was a native 

^^7 of Westnioi-eland County, Pa., born near 
Greensburg, Sept. 23, 1786. His father, David 
.Sample, was devoted to the practice of law in West- 






wzxmj nTTxirxTTrxxxTTTro: ux» 



362 



LEE COUNTY. 



Bi;| 

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nioreland County, P.i., wln'iv he was an early set- 
tler, and in the cciurse of a long and busy life at- 
tained to a position of high standing in his profes- 
sion. He died at Greensburg in that county while 
attending a session of eourt. 

William Sample was a brigiil and ambitious boy, 
studious and more than ordinarily intelligent, and 
excessively fond of iiis liooks. At an early age he 
had attained a good education, and when onl^' 
twelve years old commenced to learn the trade of 
a printer in (ireensbnrg, at which he served for 
seven years continuously'. He tiien went to Pitts- 
burgh, and became employed in a printing-oflice 
there, and subsequently established the Washing- 
ton Reporter in Little Washington in the year 1808. 
His daughter, Mrs. Malconi, of Ft. Madison, has 
in her possession tlie files of the paper which he 
published the first and second 3'ears. They are 
carefully bound, and preserved with the greatest 
care as relics of nearly a century gone. Young 
Sample remained connected with this paper until 
18.33. He had become greatly interested in politi- 
cal aflfairs, and during the War of 1812 left his 
business in cliarge of his foreman, and recruited a 
company of which he became Captain, and was en- 
gaged with it in active service for three months. 
He sold out his paper in 1833. He had been 
prominently connected with the affairs of the 
county and served as Clerk of the District Court 
for the space of twelve years. He became intim- 
ately acquainted with Henry Clay, and for many 
years was in perfect accord witii the political views 
of the illustrious statesman, and ranked among the 
first Abolitionists in that section. 

Capt. Sample visited the Territory of Iowa in 
1831), making the entire journey here and the re- 
turn trip to Pennsylvania on horseback. He was 
gi-eatly pleased witii the prospects west of the Mis- 
sissippi and the following year returned to the 
Territory, accompanied by his family. They set- 
tled at Benton's Fort, in Van Buren County, 
whence they removed in 1 842 to Ft. Madison, and 
purciiased a farm in W.asiiington Township. Upon 
this tliey remained for the following eight years 
engiiged in agricultural pursuits, and thence re- 
moved to the city of Ft. Madison, Capt. Sample 
'^ having received the appointment of Postmaster 



>5^^sj- 



from President Filmore. His lieaith at tiiis time 
was in a precarious condition, and lie soon retired 
from the duties of office an<l folded his hands for 
his final rest on tlie 1,5th day of January-, 18G2. 

i-"or his first wife Capt. AVilliam Sample married 
-Miss Margaret, daughter of Hugh Workman, of 
Washingt(m, Pa., and of this union there were born 
nine children, of whom only one is now living, 
Margaret, who becaTiie the wife of .1. \). Sanford, 
of Van Buren County, and is now living with her 
son, S. S. Sanford. in Salt Lake City. Capt. Sample 
for his second wife was united with Miss Jane Blaine. 
She was a native of Carlisle, Pa., and daughter of 
.James and Margaret (Lj'ons) Blaine, the grand- 
parents of Hon. J. G. Blaine, and was horn in the 
first year of the present century. Of this union 
there were born five children, of whom two are liv- 
ing, viz., Eliza Ewing, widow of Frank Malcolm, 
and now living in Ft. Madison, and Mar}', who be- 
came the wife of James B. Mason, of Davenport. 

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^i^ DWARD MUMM, Deputy Recorder of Lee 
»] County, is one of its most efficient oflBcers, 
l^^^ and makes his present home in Keokuk. He 
was born in Holland on the 1 7th of March, 1826, and 
received a fair education in the common schools of 
his native country. After he had attained his ma- 
jority he set out for the United States, accompan- 
ied by his wife, mother and two sisters. He had 
been married a short time before leaving Holland, 
and after reaching the shores of the New World 
proceeded directly westward with his family, and 
came to Keokuk on the 1st of November, 1849. 
His wife died the following year, leaving one child 
— Mary. 

After coming to Keokuk Mr. Jlumm engaged as 
book-keeper for the firm of Deming it Walcot, 
with whom he remained two years. He then en- 
gaged in the same capacity with James E. Burke, 
and while in the employ of the latter was ap- 
pointed Deputy Clerk of the District Court of Lee 
County, which position he occupied for a period of 
eight years. At the same time he also served as 
Deputy Clerk of the United States District Court. 
After being relieved from the duties of these posi- 

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LEE COUNTY. 



363 



tions and becoming well posted in local matters he 
engaged in the practice of law, which profession he 
followed for the ensuing five years. In 1808 he ac- 
cepted the position as book-keeper in the Keokuk 
Savings' Bank, which he held for five years. He 
was appointed Deputy Auditor of Lee County, re- 
maining in this position four years, at the expira- 
tion of which time he was appointed to his present 
office, assuming its duties on the 1st -of July, 1883. 
In 1870 he was appointed Commissioner of Emi- 
gration for the State of Iowa, under Gov. Merrill. 
He served four years as a member of the City 
Council of Keokuk, and has in all respects been one 
of the most worthy and valued citizens of his com- 
munity. His industry and energy have been pro- 
verbial, and he has taken pride in keeping himself 
well informed as regards all matters of public inter- 
est and legal questions. 

Mr. Mumm was married to his present wife, 
formerly Miss Elizabeth Zwart, of Keokuk, in 
1851. Mrs. M. is a native of the same country as 
her husband, and thej'^ have become the parents of 
five children — Edward J., Augustine, Cecelia, Fran- 
cis and Bernard. All the members of the family 
belong to St. Francis de Sales Church, of Keokuk. 

JOSEPH KARHOFF, who is engaged in gen- 
eral merchandise at the village of Houghton, 
this county, is worthily performing his part 
as a useful factor among the business inter- 
ests of this section, and is a representative of that 
valuable German element which has aided materially 
in developing the resources of the West. Our sub- 
ject is a native of the German Province of Hanover, 
and was born on the 6th of .January', 1840, his par- 
ents being William and Catharine Karhoff, also of 
Cierman ancestry and parentage. 

At the age of fourteen years Joseph Karhoff was 
apprentii'ed to learn the tailor's trade, at which he 
served three years. In August, 1857, he received 
the necessary credentials from the Imperial Govern- 
ment allowing him to leave his native land and 
come to America. He accordingl3' set sail from 
Bremen, and after a lengthy voyage of nine weeks 
landed in New Orleans. He had an uncle living in 




ii 



Lee County, Iowa, and from the Crescent City he ij^B 
proceeded directly to this vicinitj'. He remained ihH 
with his uncle on the farm of the latter for one iim^ 
year, thence went to St. Louis, and was there em- 
ployed at his trade for eighteen months, and thence fj 
went to Illinois, where he spent a few months in the 
town of Hanover, then recrossed the Mississippi 
into St. Louis, and remained there until 18G1, when 
he went back to Illinois and stayed in Jersej'^ville 
until August of that same year. 

About the time when many volunteers were join- 
ing the United States Army to assist in the preserv- 
ation of a threatened Union Mr. Karhoft', deeply 
interested in the welfare of his adopted country, 
resolved to unite with the balance of the loyal 
North, and proffered his humble assistance as a sol- 
dier. He returned to St. Louis and enlisted in Co. 
D, 17th Mo. Vol. Inf., and marched with his com- 
rades to the scene of conflict. He was in fourteen 
regular engagements, besides various skirmishes, 
sorties and dangerous marches, and was at the bat- 
tles of Pea Ridge, Arkansas Post, the siege and 
capture of Vicksburg and Jackson, was at Mission 
Ridge and Lookout Mountain, or the " battle 
above the clouds," finally going to Chattanooga, 
where his regiment, under the command of (ien. 
Sherman, participated in his famous march south- 
westward. At the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, 
he was wounded by a rifle ball in the left thigh and 
taken to the hospital at Jeffersonville, Ind ; thence 
was removed to St. Louis, and at the expiration of 
his term of service received an honorable discharge. 
He was also injured at ^^icksburg and during a night 
march to Young's Point, being wounded in the right 
shoulder. This, although not considered serious at 
first, began to trouble him shortly after his arrival 
home. For two 3'ears he was unable to work, and 
has partially lost the use of his arm. On account 
of this wound he now receives a jjension of $16 per 
month. 

As soon as he was able to do business Mr. Kar- 
hoff commenced to work at his trade. He did not 
follow this very long, however, but purchased a 
team, went up to St. Paul, Iowa, and engaged in 
buying butter, eggs and rags. He sold his butter 
and eggs at Keokuk, and realized a handsome profit 
from his speculations. In 1880 he opened a store 



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in the southwest corner of Cedar Township, from 
wliicii he iciiKived in 1881 to his present location 
in Iloiifiiiton. lie carries a general stock of all the 
commodities that can be made available around the 
homestead, and receives a good income from his 
business transactii ms. 

.Iosei)li Kariioff and Miss Mar_v Hesse were mar- 
ried at Ft. Madison on the 23d of May, 1871, by 
Rev. Ivather Aloysius Meis, in St. Mary's Church. 
Mrs. K. is a native of the same country as her hus- 
l)and, and the daughter of Joseph and Theresa 
(Steffensmeyer) Hesse. She came to America with 
her parents at the age of six years (in 1850), and 
they located at Ft. Madison, where Mrs. K. was 
reared and ('(bicated. 

Our subject and wife have become the parents of 
six children, two of whom, Willie and Clara L., died 
in infancy; the living are Theresa, Josie, Stephen 
and Katie. iMr. Karhoff has a pleasant home, and 
his family is surrouniled liy all the comforts and 
many of the luxuries of life. They are connected 
with the St. .James' Catholic Church, and are highly 
respected in their community. JJuring the latter 
years of tlieir lives Mr. Karhoff's parents resided 
with liim. The father departed this life in 18(1!); 
the niotluM- survived him thirteen years, dying in 
1H«2, and tiieir remains are interred in the cemetery 
at St. Paul. 




ENHV .H"1)Y is one of the honored pioneers 
of West I'oint Township, having crossed 
the Mississippi at an early period in the his- 
tor3' of the Hawkeye State, and while it 
was yet a Territory, in 1834. During that time he 
has been an interested witness of the remarkable 
ji changes which have taken place along the Missis- 
gsippi ^'alley. From the time of his coming here 
I Mr. Judy has identified himself with the interests 
gof this community-, and has aided materially in de- 
veloping the natural resources of this section. He 
h.as led an li()norMblc and upright life, and enjoys 
in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of 
his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Judy was born in Montgomery County, 
(Jhio, .Ian. 21. 1S17. His father, John Judy, was 



of Pennsylvanian birth, and American ancestry f(n- 

several generations. He was Itorn on the '2d of 

June. 1793, and his birthplace is supposed to have 

been in Center County, Pa. He removed from his 

native State to Montgomerj' County when a young 

man, and was among the early settlers of Ohio. 

He was there married to Miss F^lizabeth Moj'er, a 

native of Rockingham County, ^'a., of German ji } 

■* I 
parentage and ancestry. After marriage they es- SF j 

tablished themselves upon a tract of land in Ohio 
in Montgomery Count}', and j)ursued the occupa- 3,: 
tion of agriculture during their lifetime. They S 
were most worthy people and highly resi)eeted in j 
that section of the State. 8i^ 

Henry Judy was the second of a family of six 
children b(jrn to his parents. Three of these died 
in Ohio, and the parents afterward, in the fall of 
182'), with the three children remaining, removed 
from Ohio t() Sangamon County, 111., locating near 
what afterward became the city of Springfield. At 
that early period the prairies of Illinois were com- 
paratively uncultivated, and Mr. Judy and his 
family settled upon a tract of wild land. 



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out of 3t 

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which in due time the\' improved alarm, which be- HEn 

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came quite valuable, but the}- finally liecame desir- Ki 

ous of crossing the Father of Waters, and in 1 8;!4 gp 
Mr. Judy came into Lee County,' and purchased a 
claim of 1(10 acres on what is now the west end of 
the city of Ft. Madison. He then returned home 
to Illinois, and in the fall of the year came liack to 
Lee County, accompanied by his son Henry, our 
subject. They remained there through that winter, 
and in the spring were joined by the balance of the ^''■ 
family. They establishetl themselves comfortably :^: 
upon the tract of land before mentioned, where 
they remained for four years, then sold out, coming 
to West Point Township, and located themselves 
upon the present homestead on section 32. This laud 
w,as alst) unimproved, but the male members of the 
family industriously set themselves to work to cul- 
tivate the land and supply it with fences, outhouses, 3|{ 
and such improvements as were necessary for their 
comfort and profit. In due time they received the 
reward of their labors in the smiling fields around 
them and the enjoyment of a comfortable home. 

Heiu'j- Judy remained under the parental roof g|] 
and jtassed his earlj- years in attendance at the " i* 




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LEE COUNTY. 



pioneer schools and assisting in the labors of the 
farm. He was married, Jan. 8, 184;>, in West 
Point Township, to Miss Rebecca D. Cooney, a 
3-oiing maiden of fourteen years. Mrs. Judy was 
a native of Indiana, and the daughter of Dr. Mat- 
hew Cooney, who came to Iowa and settled in 
AVest Point Township. Mrs. Rebecca Judy be- 
came the mother of four children, and departed 
this life Sept. (J, \^oO. Of her children, Mathew 
J. died in infancy; Mary became the wife of Henry 
Ilorton, who resides in West Point; Emily married 
James Ballard, Jr., and died in I88G; Henry II. 
married Ann Wilson, and is a farmer on section 
o'.i. of West Point Township. 

The second wife of Henry Judy was Miss Eliza- 
beth Emmett, to whom he was married July J, 
1851. She is a native of Henry County, Ind., and 
was born Aug. 0, 1833. Her father was a distant 
relative of the famous Irish orator and patriot, 
Robert Emmett, who was executed during the 
troubles of his time. The grandfather of Mrs. 
Judj' was a native of Ireland, wlio emigrated to 
this country at an early period in its history, and 
settled near Cincinnati, Ohio. The maiden name 
of the mother of Mrs. J. was Nancy Dukes, who 
came from a prominent Southern family, who re- 
moved to Indiana, where she was married to 
George Emmett, and with her husband came to 
Iowa in 1839, and settled in West Point Township. 
Here they jiassed the remainder of their lives and 
folded their hands for their final rest. 

Of the second marriage of our subject have been 
born ten children, five of whom are living. The 
record is as follows : (^eorge W. married Lucinda 
Ann Hart, and they reside in Jefferson Township, 
near Viele, upon a farm; John was married, and be- 
came the father of four children, and now resides 
on the old homestead; Martha E. is at home; Will- 
iam S. is attending school at Denmariv Academy', 
and James G. is assisting in the management of the 
farm. Mr. and Mrs. J. have occupied tlieir pres- 
ent homestead continuously since their marriage. 
Mr. J. has been fairly successful in his farming and 
other enterprises, and is the owner of 290 acres of 
land, about half of which is under cultivation. In 
1850, in company with his brotlier George, he 
erected a sawmill in this vicinity, which has been 



in operation most of the time since and yields a 
fair income. Politically Mr. J. is a solid Repub- 
lican, and religiously is connected with the Baptist 
Church. He is highly esteemed by his fellow- 
townsmen, and considered one of the importantpl 
factors of a first-class comniunit3'. 



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••o*o-(«^X®-o*<"- 





R. J. C. HUGHES, of Keokuk, Iowa, 
occupies a promminent position in the 
medical fraternity of this section, being a 
skilled surgeon and a valued citizen. His 
birthplace was Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and the date 
thereof March 4, 1849. He is the son of Dr. J. C. 
and Amanda T. (McGugin) Hughes, natives of 
Washington County, Pa. The former was born in 
April, 1821, and removed to Mt. A'ernon, Ohio, 
twenty-four years later, where he was married in 
1848. After this event he removed to Iowa, and 
settled in Keokuk in 1850. He received his medical 
education at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa., 
and afterward graduated at the University of Mary- 
land, in Baltimore. 

After coming to Keokuk Dr. Hughes associated 
liimself with the Faculty of the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, then the medical department of the 
Iowa State University, and was Demonstrator of 
Anatomy and afterward Professor of Anatomy, 
following which he became Professor of Surgery 
and Dean of the Faculty, in which position he 
remained until his decease, which occurred in 1881 
He was twice President of the State ISIedical Society- 
was Associate Editor of tiie Iowa Medical Journal, 
and one of the representatives of the American 
Medical Association to the international meeting of 
that body in Europe in 18()(). He was also Surgeon- 
General of the State of Iowa, and President of the 1^ 
Board of Medical Examiners of the State during 
the war. His widow is still living in Keokuk. Their 
household included four children. 

Dr. J. C. Hughes, Jr., was the oldest child of his 
father's family ; he received his primary education 
in the public schools, and in later years attended 
the State University at Iowa City. He entered 
upon the study of medicine in 18(!8, and graduated 
in 1871, receiving his diploma in that year from 



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M, 366 



LEE COUNTY. 



the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. 
Hughes was elected Demonstrator of Anatomy in 
the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons 
in 1871, and occupied that position for the four 
years following. He then succeeded to the Profes- 
sorship of Anatomy, and during one year of this 
time attended the Iniversity of Edinburgh in Scot- 
land, serving under Lister and Spencer, two of 
the most prominent surgeons of Scotland, and w.is 
also one of the House Surgeons in the Royal In- 
firmary. Ipon his return to Keokuk he resumed 
the chair which had been tilled while he was absent 
by Dr. North. He continued to hold this position 
until 1881, when he was elected Surgeon to fill the 
place made vacant by his father's death. The fol- 
lowing year he was made Dean of the College and 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Faculty. He makes 
a specialty of surgery, and is considered one of the 
most skillful young surgeons of the Mississippi 
A'alley. 

In 1880 Dr. Hughes was united in marriage with 
iMiss Lillie Withrow, of Midway, Ky., and daugh- 
ter of John S. Withrow. Of this union there has 
been born one son, Joseph C. Their residence is 
located on Seventh street, adjacent to the college, 
and thej' are the center of a large circle of warm 
friends and acquaintances. Politically Dr. II. 
affiliates with the Republican party. He is a mem- 
ber of the Sttite Medical, and the Keokuk Medical 
Societies, also the American Medical Association. 
Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
and the I. O. O. F. 




c 



APT. ENOCH HINKLEY, of Keokuk, is 
junior member of the firm of Hinkley & Dun- 
lap, who arc prospeiously engaged as com- 
mission merchants, and wliolesale dealers in flour, 
l)aper bags, twines, etc., and also transacting a profit- 
able business in anthracite and liituminous coal. The 
business of the company, which is located at Nos. 
17 and 19 South Second street, was purchased by 
'JSi q the present firm in l«8f), having been established 
by Mr. D. P. White several years ago. 

Capt. Hinkley is a native of the State of Maine, 

AMmi the date of iiis l)irtli lieing Sept. ■_', 1 S2t, .■uul is the 



son of Hon. Josiah and Sabra (Works) Hinkley. 
both also natives of the above State. The father 
was a farmer by occupation, and cleared 320 acres J.; 
of a heavy growth of beech, hemlock and maple, § 
and upon the homestead thus established lie re- ; 
niained until the close of his life. He was twice ; 
married, and became the father of nine children, p} 
five by the first, and four b>' the second marriage. : 
He was a man of great force of character and ;.: 
decided views, and held a prominent position in E§|i 
his localitj-, most of the time being the incumbent 
of some office. He served one term in the Legis- 
lature and as County Clerk, and in his town occu- 
pied the office of .Selectman aTid other minor at 
positions. He took a deep interest in public affairs, 
and contributed generously of his time and means 
to promote the educational and moral interests of i'- 
his community. He donated generously to objects 
of charitj', and at his death, which occurred in 
1877, was lamented bj' all who knew him. The 
mother of our subject, Mrs. Sabra Hinkley, died in 
1832. 

Pviioch Hinkley remained on the parental home- 
stead until he was twent^'-five years old, in the 
meantime having received careful training, and a 
good education in the public schools. In 1K49 he 
determined to seek his fortunes in the wide West, 
and going to Illinois, located at Leland, La Salle 
County, where he remained one year, 
crossed the Father of Waters and went over to i^^ 
Alexandria in Missouri, where he engage<l in the 
commission business, in the employ of H. E. Hill |E 
<fe Co., with whom he remained four j'cars. He P^ 
was then admitted into partnership with the firm, g; 
which retained its former name, and continued ;: 
with them until 1870. Mr. Hinkle}' remained in |i 
Alexandria until 1880, and then came to Keokuk, 
where lie purchased a half interest in a steamer, 
which plied between Alexandria and Keokuk, and 
of vvhicii he assumed the management for the fol- 
lowing tliree years, after which he disposed of his 
interest therein and gave his attention to the busi- 
ness in which he is now engaged. 

In 185-lCapt. Hinkley was united in marriage 
with Miss Elvira A. Fellows, of Pennsj-lvania, and 
daughter of Asa and Susanna Fellows, also natives 
of tiic Keystone St.:ite. Their union was lilest b}' 



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LEE COUNTY. 



the birth of four children, of whom the oldest, a 
son, Oto, is now a young man and book-keeper 
for the firm of Ilinklej' & Dunlap; the second child 
is a daughter, Ina. The family residence is pleas- 
antly located at No. 317 Second Street North, and 
is the abode of refinement and cultivated tastes. 
In politics Mr. Hinkley conscientiously casts his 
vote with the Democratic partj', and socially is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. 



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,,... JM(JS HENKLE, a prosperous farmer, who 
@/lI| | occupies a fine homestead on section 3 in 
\'an Buren Township, has been a resident 
of the Hawkeye State since 1836, and is 
fully entitled to be classed among the honored pio- 
neers. He has watched with interest the remark- 
able growth and development of this section of 
country, and has aided materially in the changes 
which have been brought about, and which have 
substituted smiling fields and civilization for the 
bleak prairies and untrodden forests. 

Amos Henkle is a native of Pendleton County, 
Va., and was born June 15, 1817. His parents 
were Abraham and Mary (Harper) Henkle, both 
natives of Virginia, but descended from the Ger- 
man. Abraham Henkle was born Nov. 7, 1784, 
and died in Taylor County, Iowa, in 1873. Mrs. 
Mary H. Henkle was born in the same j'ear as her 
husband, and survived him ten years, also dying in 
Taylor County, in 1883. They were the parents 
of eleven children — Sidney, Josiali, Zebediah, Mar- 
garet, Amos, Miles, Henry, Moses, Abraham (who 
died in infancy), Sallie and Mary A. 

The marriage of Amos Henkle and Miss Martha 
McGreer occurred Feb. 21, 1839. Mrs. Henkle 
was a native of Fayette County, Ind., and was 
born Feb. 13, 1821 ; she died Nov. 20, 1848, hav- 
ing become the mother of three children: Anna be- 
come the wife of John Warner; John married Miss 
Melissa Simons; one child died in infancy. Mr. 
Henkle for his second wife married Miss Sarah 
McGreer, and of this union there have been born 
three children : Mary J. became the wife of Butler 
Chapman ; Albert mai'ried Miss Seward; the third 
and youngest child was named Washington Lincoln. 




Mr. Henkle is the owner of 585 acres of land in 
Lee County, 200 of which is under good culti- 
vation. He is extensively engaged in the breeding 
of graded stock, and has a herd of ninety-three 
head of cattle. In the year 1859 he constructed a 
fish-pond, and placed therein a good supply of the 
finny tribe. He now has fish twenty-six inches long, 
and a cat-fish which weighs four pounds. 

The homestead of Mr. Henkle forms an attract- 
ive feature of the landscape in this section of 
country. He has a fine dwelling, good barn, and 
all the conveniences of agriculture and stock-grow- 
ing. He has always taken a deep interest in the 
moral and educational welfare of his community, 
having held the various township offices. He has 
been connected with the School Board and served 
as Justice of the Peace. Politically he affiliates 
with the Democratic party. 



^ ^'~*~#"" 



j ] SAAC L. MARSH, a prosperous and influential 
farmer of Washington Township, is the pro- 
/ll prietor of a valuable homestead finely located 
on section 2. He is a native of Preble County, 
Ohio, and was boru Dec. 23, 1817, his parents be- 
ing AVilliam and Lodica (Knight) Marsh, natives 
of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts respectively. 
After their marriage they located in Preble County, 
Ohio, whence they removed to Lee County, Iowa, 
in the fall of 1839, settling in Washington Town- 
ship. They were the parents of eight children, and 
speut the remainder of their lives in Lee County. 

The subject of this history was brought up oil a 
farm, and lived in Preble County, Ohio, until his 
marriage. He accompanied his (parents to Iowa 
and entered 160 acres of land in Washington 
Township, where he engaged in farming and stock 
raising, and still owns and occupies his first pur- 
chase. He improved and cultivated his land, 
erected a good farm dwelling, and has been re- 
markably prosperous. One hundred acres of the 
present homestead is in a tillable condition, and the 
balance is devoted mostly to pasturage. 

Mr. Marsh was married in Preble County, Ohio 
July 27, 1836, to Miss Martha A. William; 
was born pear Cincinnati, Ohii>, pec, 16, 



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Her parents were Samuel and Haimali (Tliorp) 
Williams, and tliey died while the wife of our sub- 
ject was a young child. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have 
become the parents of eleven children, six sons and 
live daughters, whose liistory in brief is as follows: 
llebecca is t-tic wife of Amos Sniff, and resides in 
Nebraska; Eurena K., the wife of Ephraini Snift', 
died in Washington Tnsvnslii|) Jan. 8, IHU:); Jasper 
married Miss Xaucy .Saunders, and resides in 
Poweshiek County, Iowa; Wesley married Miss 
Mary Groat, and resides in Des Jloines County, 
Iowa; Uansom married Mi,ss Sarah J. McGriff, and 
resides in Nebraska; Monroe married Miss Alice 
Pitman, and lives in Pleasant Ridge Townsliip; 
Maria Louise was the wife of Irvin Saunders, and 
died in Poweshiek County, Iowa; Martha married 
William (). Liddie, and resides in Washington 
Township; Edward, Joseph and JMary Belle are at 
home. 

Mr. Marsh has been prominentlj- identified with 
the affairs of his community, and has held the var- 
ious offices in the township. He and his wife, with 
Josoi)h, Mary B., Martlia and Jasper, are members 
of the Ciiristian Church. In politics Mr. Marsh is 
a Democrat and a strong temperance man. 

During the war Jasper N., the son of our sub- 
ject, enlisted in Co. F, IGth Iowa Vol. Inf., and 
veteranized two years later, in 1864. He was taken 
prisoner near Atlanta, Ga., and for nearly nine 
months experienced the horrors of Andersonville 
Prison. Another son, Wesley H., was a member of 
Co. M, Dth Iowa Vol. Cav., served his term of enlist- 
ment, and received an honorable discharge in Jul^', 
1803. Amos Sniff, the husband of the daughter, 
Ueljecca J., was a member of Co. I, ICth Iowa Vol- 
unteers; he was taken prisoner near Atlanta, Ga., 
and also held a captive for about nine months in 
Andeisonville. Ephraim Sniff, who married p]urena 
E., enlisted in tlie same regiment as his brother, re- 
mained in service until the close of the war, and 
returned home unliarmed ; he afterward went to 
Kansas and died there. 

Saniuel M. Marsh, a liruliier of Isaac I,, of tiiis 
biograpiiy, was a Sergeant of Co. I, .^Olii Iowa Vol. 
Inf.; he enlisted Aug. 22, l.S(j2,and was disciiarged 
June 5, 18G5. He returncil home shortly after- 
ward, and died of consiiniiil ion {■'cb. 22, I S77, leav- 



ing a widow and four children — William, Ellen, Sjji 
Vandale and Martha. These cluldren, witli the ex- 
ception of the eldest, have made their liome with 
our subject since the deatii of their fallier, and 
have received the kindest of care. 

The Marsh family are of excellent parentage and 
ancestry, and are widely known tlironghout this 
section for their straightforward business transac- 
tions, their moral, social and religious worth, and 
the material aid which the3- have rendered to the 
industrial and agricultural interests of this section. 
The _younger members of the family have been 
carefully trained and well educated, and possess in 
a marked degree, the worthy characteristics of their 
progenitors, and there is no doubt they will \>er- 
petuate the family name in tlie same maimer l)y £!;} 
wliich they have been brought to their present E|[ 
honorable and prominent position among the best 
citizens of the Hawkeye State. 



OHN FOWLER, a highly respected resident 
of Jackson Township, is pleasantly located 
on section 1, and successfully engaged in 
"eneral farming. He is of English birth 

O o c 

and parentage, and was born in February, 1 s;j2. 
His parents were John and Harriet (Hammond) 
Fowler, also natives of England, where the mother 
died when our subject was a young boy. After 
llie deatli of the mother his father came to America, & 
and [jroceeding directly to Iowa, settled in Jackson ;j|i 
Township, where he still resides, and is now eighty- 
two j'ears of age. 

John Fowler of our sketch was the second of his 
parents' family of three children, and was fifteen 
j'ears old when his father emigrated to the llnitcd 
States. He crossed the Mississippi, accompanied 
by his father, but parted company with the latter 
and went to Keokuk, where his earlier days were 
spent, and where, when lie arrived at years of man- 
hood, he became engaged in operating a sawmill at 
Sandusky. He was afterward occupied at farming 
and butchering, and during the construction of the 
Goverinnent Canal, cstablishe<l a liutcher shop in 
that vicinity, which he carried on i)roHtably until 
this work was comjjleted. 

In Ihc spring of IS(;2 .U)iin Fowler came into §! 



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LEE COUNTY. 



Jackson Township, and located upon a rented farm, 
which lie carried on for about four years and then 
purchased. It consists of 200 acres, all exceptnig 
lifty of which is in a good state of cultivation. He 
has greatly iini)r(jved its condition since he became 
its possessor, and has now a good house built of 
stone and concrete, and all the necessary implements 
and machinerj- for prosecuting agriculture after the 
most imprt)ved methods. He is also engaged in 
breeding tiioroughbred Short-horns. 

The marriage of John Fowler and Miss Esther 
A. MeCord took place Oct. 24, 1860. Mrs. F. was 
born in Preble Couuty, Ohio, Feb. lit, 1.S43, and is 
the daughter of Joseph S. and Martha McCord, 
natives of the same State. Mr. and ilrs. Fowler 
have become the parents of six children, of whom 
one, James W., died at the age of eighteen years. 
Those surviving are : Edwin McCord, John C, Hat- 
tic H., Ida and Lillie. 

\Vheu Mr. Fowler first came to the couuty he had 
but verj' little means, and what he now has is the 
result of his own industry' and energy. He has 
been identified with the temperance movement in 
his vicinity. In politics he is independent, and 
votes for the man he believes to be right, irrespect- 
ive of party. 

A view of the home farm and fine stock of ]SIr. 
Fowler is shown on another page of this work. 



' W. HOBBS is Secretary and Treasurer of 
the Keokuk Stove Works, and has the entire 
management of the business. He is v.ell 
(^jl/ fitted for this responsible position, both by 
education and natural aliilities, and is an important 
factor among the industrial interests of the Gate 
Citj'. Mr. Hobbs is a native of the Buckej'e State, 
having been born in Mt. ^'ernon, in the year 1S43. 
He is the son of John and Annie (Shipley) Hobbs, 
natives of Burgettstown, Washington Co., Pa. His 
father, John Hobbs, was a farmer hy occupation 
until 1858. Eight years prior to this he cro.ssed 
the Mississippi and came into Iowa: he invested in 
50,000 acres of land in the counties of Appanoose, 
Wayne, Decatur, Ringgold, Union, Adair, (iuthrie 
and Carroll, aad improved lands in Illinois. He 





finally settled in the latter State, at Nauvoo, where 
the latter daj's of his life were passed in retirement 
from active labor. He departed this life in 1871. 
The companion of his youth had passed to her final 
rest seventeen years previouslj', in 1854. They 
were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, to the support, of which they contril)uted 
liberallj' and cheerfully. John Hobbs was a man 
universally respected, not only on account of his 
ready kindness and sympath3' for all creatures, but 
for his straightforward and upright course during 
a long and eventful life. 

The subject of this history- was tlie youngest son 
of a family of ten children, of whom four are now 
deceased. The record is as follows: Milton is a 
resident of Arnold, Custer Co., Neb., where he is lE^ 
engaged in farming; Amanda, now Mrs. Randolph, i| 
is a resident of Ft. Worth, Tex.; Leonard is en- NJ 
gaged in fanning in Hancock County, 111. ; Ethe- 
linda, Mrs. Larison, resides in Malvern, Iowa; 
JNIaria, Mrs. Lacroix, is a resident of Appanoose 
County. Iowa. 

Mr. Hoblis attended the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- 
sity' at Delan'are, Ohio, but on account of ill-health 
was obliged to abandon his studies while in the 
Junior Class. After leaving college he went to 
C'arthage, 111., and Itecanie Deputy in the oflice of 
the County Clerk, which position he occupied for 
four j'ears. He then came to Keokuk, in 1868, and 
was appointed Cashier of the Commercial Bank, 
with which he was coiniected for eight 3-ears. He 
then engaged in the loan and brokerage business, 
and in April, 1884, became interested in the Keokuk 
Stove Works, as before mentioned. 

The firm of which Mr. Hobbs is Secretary and 
Treasurer gives employment to about sixty-tive 
men in this city. They have a branch house at 
Minneapolis and another at Kansas City, and from "■"^KiST 
three to seven men are continuously on the road in C H 
the interests of the liusiness. They put out 12,000 
stoves annually, and even then are not able to 
supply their trade, being oliliged to purchase 
largely from the I-]ast. The works extend over 
half a block, and for their storage house, they 
occupy the old Virginia Tobacco Works building 
on the levee. In liSSI! they put up a brick building 
for offices and .storage, at a c(.>st of ^s,000. 







iiii 





.1. W. Iliilihs .iinl Mis> Sue Somerville were 
uiiiU'fl ill iii:inia<^e in IJSOT. Mrs. Ilobhs i* :i native 
of Indiana, and the daughter of James Sijinervilh' 

M- of Pennsylvania. By her union with our subject 
she has l)econie tiie mother of four children : John 
r., a cadet at the United States IMilltary Academy 
at West Point. N. V. ; Jessie R., Ilallie 8. and 
Hevcrly are at lioine with their parents. The 
family residence is located at No. 718 Exchange 
street, and in all its surroundings gives evidence 
of refined taste and ample means. Mr. llobbs has 
i! I been a i)rominent man in his coniiiiunity, as a 
^^ member of the City Council, and with his wife is 
hj R connected in membersiiip with St. John's Ki)iscopal 

f^ J}L Church, and takes a i)rominent part in its councils. 
^ lb' is Democratic in politics, and socially is a mem- 
lur of the Masonic fraternit}'. 

?RANlv llEKli, a successful merchant of Ft. 



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Madison, is a native of the I'rovince of 
Westphalia, Prussia, and was born March 
20, 183!). His father, Lawrence lleer, a native of 
the same country and Province, was reai-ed on a 
farm, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until our 
subject was a youth si.vteen years old, when he re- 
solved to emigrate to America. He set sail from 
lircmcn March '23, 18.t."), aecompaniod liy his wife 
and six children, and landed in New Orleans on the 
Kith of May following. They came directly to Ft. 
Madison, and here the father remained a resident 
until his death. lie was a worthy man and a good 
citizen, and held in high esteem by the friends 
whom he had made in the New World. 

The subject of this history was the second child 
of the parental family, and received a good educa- 
tion in his native country. lie was an ambitious 
lad and resolved to become a man among men. 
i After coming to this country, although he did not 
I regularly attend school, he pursued his studies in 
English as time and opportunity afforded, and has be- 
come one of the most intelligent and well-informed 
citizens of this locality. He has been keenly observ- 
ant of what was going on around him and has 
availed himself of every opportunity to gain valu- 
able iiifonn.ilioii. With very little instruction he 



has obtained an excellent English education, and is 
a striking example of what perseverance and energy 
may accomplish. 

Upon first coming to Ft. Madison Mr. Ileer was 
employed in a T)rick3'ard at a salary of ^H a montii. 
He was thus occupied for one season, and then en- 
gaged as a molder in a foundry, serving an .ip- 
prenticeship of two years, and followed his trade 
for seven years thereafter. He then abandoned his 
trade and engaged in buying and selling country 
produce until 1870, when he purchased a stock of 
drj- -goods and turned his whole attention to this 
department of trade. After he had become fully 
established and there was a prospect of prosperity 
and success, his store and dwelling-house were de- 
stroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $13,000. This 
disaster occurred on the 1st of February, 1885. He 
was not dismayed or discouraged, how^ever, but im- 
mediately set about repairing the catastrophe. He 
purchased the building he now occupies, put in an- 
other stock of goods, and in the course of time was 
upon his feet again, and is now on the high road to 
a competency. He has been straightforward in his 
business transactions, and enjoj's the confidence and 
esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 

Mr. Ileer was married in 1868 to Miss Wilhel- 
mina Schoeling, a native of his own Province, who 
emigrated to the United States with her parents be- 
fore her marriage. Of this union there have been 
born six children, viz., George, Frank, Theresa, 
jMary, Margaret and Mena. The family are con- 
nected with St. Marj^'s Catholic Church, and in 
politics Mr. Heer is a conscientious Democrat. Mr. 
Heer was elected Alderman of the Fourth Ward, 
and also served two terms on the School Board. 



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ARON JOHNSON, a native of the Buck- 
eye State, was an early pioneer of Ft. Mad- 
ison, coming here before it li;id even at- 
tained to the dignity of a village. In that 
time lie has witnessed remarkable and pleasing 
changes, and has contributed materially to the ad- 
vancement of this locality. He unselfishl}' identi- 
li('<l liiinself with the interests of the conimniiily 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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from the beginning, and is now counted among its 
most highly respected and vahied citizens. 

The birthplace of Mr. Johnson was nenr W:ish- 
iiigton, Fayette Co., Ohio, and the date, March 30, 
1816. His father, Isaac Johnson, was born in A'ir- 
ginia. on the banks of the Potomac River, and his 
grand f;ither, Arthur Johnson, was also a native of 
Mrginia, and of English descent. He was a sol- 
ilier in the Revolutionary AVar, and after the ter- 
mination of the conflict removed to Ohio, and was 
one of the early pioneers of that Territory, settling 
there in 1804. He made his location in Fayette 
County, and a few years later removed to Indiana. 
Thence he came to Illinois, and spent his last da3^s 
in Grand View, Edgar County. 

Isaac Johnson, the father of our subject, was 
about ten years old when his parents removed from 
Virginia to Ohio. He was also a soldier in the 
War of 1812, having enlisted at two different times. 
He was married in Ohio and remained a resident 
of P'ayette County, that State, until 1820. He then 
started, with his wife and two children, for the 
farther West, their outfit consisting of four horses 
and a wagon, and thej' camped and cooked by the 
way. They stopped for a time in Indiana, and on 
the 21st of March started for Illinois. The father 
in the meantime, had traded one span of horses 
for a yoke of oxen, and then, with oxen, horses 
and wagon, they made their way overland. They 
made settlement in Edgar County, upon land which 
iiad been survej^ed Ijut was not yet in the market. 
Mr. Johnson made his claim, built a small log cabin, 
into which the family moved and made themselves 
as comfortable as possil)le, and then he commenced 
l)reaking the land. Although it was rather late in 
the season, he put in a crop on the upturned sod, 
and raised sufficient grain and provisions to last 
until another season. In the fall he sowed some 
wheat and put up a hewed-log house, and the fol- 
lowing year his land came into market. His loca- 
tion then became section 14, and he afterward en- 
tered more land as fast as he could raise the money. 
With the exception of one family that had come 
with them, these courageous pioneers seemed quite 
isolated from the balance of mankind, there being 
no white familj- within fifteen miles. Indians, to 
be sure, were plenty, and the smoke of their camp 



fires could often be seen three or four miles away. 
Thej- were obliged to have their milling done in 
Indiana, which was forty miles distant. Wild 
game was plenty, especially deer, and the father 
was enabled to keep his family well supplied with 
venison; they also obtained honey in great abund- 
ance, and lived full}' as well as many people who 
were surrounded by more of the modern luxuries 
of life. Mr. Johnson resided on this land until 
1836, and brought his farm to a good state of cul- 
tivation. But he was of an ambitious and advent- 
urous turn, and now decided to cross the Missis- 
sippi to see what lay beyond, and what were the 
prospects for the emigrant thei'e. He according!}' 
started out and went into Texas; this was during 
the struggles upon the frontier, and he joined the 
" Regulars " and did good service in assisting fam- 
ilies to escape to places of safety, and in removing 
their household goods. He was near the scene of 
Santa Anna's capture at the time the noted Gen- 
eral was taken, and witnessed many other stirring 
and thrilling events during the few months of his 
stay in that region. In the fall of the year he re- 
turned to his home, sold his farm, and determined 
to go into Iowa. He accordingly started overland 
with his famil}', and crossed the Father of Waters, 
making his first location in Lee County, in what is 
now AVashingtou Township. There he purchased 
a claim upon which was a log cabin, into which the 
family removed. The wife and mother did not 
long survive this removal, dying the following 
spring, and the same year Mr. Johnson removed to 
Ft. Madison and made a location diagonally aci'oss 
from what is now the southeast corner of Upper 
Park. He purchased a lot and built a house, re- 
mained there for a few years, and then removed to 
his farm in Washington Township. 

In the fall of 1849 Isaac Johnson, accompanied 
by two sons, started for California. The}' made 
the trip down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, 
thence to the mouth of the Rio (irande, and from 
there up that river ten miles, where they purchased 
ponies and completed the trip overland to the 
Golden State. Here they entered the mines and 
were employed in digging for the precious metal 
until 18.50. The father then returned to Ft. Mad- 
ison, where he settle<l down ;iiid ivniaineil for sev- 







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ixxxxxxxx: 



374 




LEE COUNTY. 



cral years, the two sons remaining in California. 
He afterward removed to Osceola and ifiimined 
until liis death, in 1871. 

Isaac .lolmson was twice married, his first wife, 
the motiicr of our subje(;t, boina- Miss Sarah Kerns, 
a native of Fayette County, Ohio. The parental 
liniiscliold consisted of ten children, live of whom 
grew to j'ears of maturity. Mrs. Johnson carefully 
trained her family and was a good example of the 
faithful wife and mother. She departed this life 
^in February, 18;57, deeply lamented by her affec- 
tionate family. Mr. Johnson's second marriage 
was with Miss Delilah Wilson, and their eight chil- 
dren lived to become men and women. 

Aaron Johnson, the subject of our sketch, was 
but five years old when his parents removed from 
( >liio to Illinois. He remained under the parental 
roof until lie had attained to years of manhood, .as- 
sisting his father in clearing the farm, and obtain- 
ing a limited education in the pioneer schools. He 
came to Lee County, Iowa, with his father in the 
fall of l.S3(;. The boundaries of this State were 
tlu'u included in the Territory of Wisconsin, and it 
was ten yeais before it was admitted into the 
Union as a State. In the winter of 1830-37 Mr. 

I Johnson assisted his father in getting out rails and 

[ limtier for fencing, and in the following spring he 
I purchased a part of the lot which he now owns and 
illn occupies, and upon it erected a small frame house. 
^^ That same j'ear also, he commenced to learn the 
trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed 
-M ^ for ten years afterward. He had been married in 
the meantime, and in 1849 located u[)on the farm 
of his falhcr-in-law, and afterward purchased eighty 
acres of this, and subsequentlj' bought the balance 
of the farm, making a total of 220 acres, and for 
|y twenty years afterward devoted the greater part of 
his time to agricultural pursuits. He then left his 

3 children in charge of the farm, removed to Ft. 

[ Madison, and erected the line brick residence which 

j he now occupies. 

The marriage of Aaron .Johnson and Miss Mary 
Wilson was celebrated in March, 1842. Mrs. John- ' 
son was a native of Windsor County, \t., and was I 
born in 1«10. After being the faithful companion 
of her husband for thirty -seven years, she departed 
this life Nov. 7, l.s7:i. Of liiis uuion there were : 



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born four children, of whom the record is as fol- 
lows: Edward, the eldest son. occupies the home 
farm in Washington Township; Albert died in in- 
fancy; Ellen M. is the wife of A. D. Shepard. of 
Ft. Madison; George lives near Albany, Tex. 

As one of the valued old landmarks, Mr. .lohn- 
son is reg.arded with great veneration and resided, 
beiug also entitled to this on account of his excel- 
lent qualities of character, which have obtained for 
him a high place among the substantial men of Lee 
County'. He was enterprising and ambitious as a 
young man, and labored industriously for the good 
of his famil}', while at the same time he was always 
willing to contribute of his time and means to any 
good work or purpose instituted in his community. 
As a business man and a citizen, he has done his 
share toward the building up of the business inter- 
ests and the social status of this vicinitj'. 



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[(OSEPH R. TEWKSBURY, photographer, is 
one of the most skillful artists of Ft. Madi- 
son, and is carrying on a successful business. 
(j^J^ He is a native of the Old Granite State, hav- 
ing been born near Concord, May 17, 1831. He is 
a son of William and Content (Chapman) Tewks- 
bury, natives of New Hampshire and New York 
respectively. The great-grandparents of our sub- 
ject came from Tewksbury, England. While Jo- 
seph R. was yet an infant his parents removed to 
Livingston County, N. Y., where our subject re- 
ceived a good common-school education and devel- 
oped into manhood. He then went to New York 
Citj', became an exjiert stenographer, and subse- 
quently kept books for a wholesale grocer3- in Roch- 
ester. Not being quite satisfied with his condi- 
tion or prospects in the East, he joined a company 
who were about to emigrate to Kansas, and they 
arrived there in time to vote at the election of the 
first Territorial officers. There was too much dis- 
turbance, however, in th.at portion of the Union to 
suit Mr. Tewksbury, and he accordingly retraced his 
steps lis far as the Mississippi River and located at 
Keokuk, where he served for a time as local editor 
and financier of a newspaper. 

In the winter of I 8.j.j Mr. Tewksbiuy enlereil 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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the employ of the C, B. <fr Q. R. R. Co.. ami in the 
following spring became their general Western 
.agent at Keokuk. In this capaeitj' he sold the first 
railroad ticket in Keokuk. He was connected with 
this company' for about six j'ears, bnt the confine- 
ment indoors becoming injurious to his health, he 
decided to obtain more active occupation, and con- 
sequently' became engaged in nursery and fruit- 
growing at Hamilton, 111. In 1.SG4 an excellent po- 
sition was proffered him by a railroad company at 
Omaha, and he went thither to accept. Upon his 
arrival, however, he found a large number of the 
people greatly excited in regard to the discovery of 
gold and silver in Idaho and Montana, and so in- 
stead of accepting the. situation offered him he con- 
cluded to join the general rush westward. He had 
considerable money with him, and being a shrewd 
financier was alwaj^s ready to avail himself of an 
opportunitj' to make more. He therefore, instead 
of buying a ticket across the plains, purchased two 
span of mules and a wagon, and started (.)ut with 
his own conveyance, at the same time carrying with 
him five passengers, each of whom paid him i^lOO in 
advance. They headed for Virginia City, Mont., 
and also visited Idaho. Mr. Tewksbury was pleased 
with this section of country and concluded to lo- 
cate here. He turned about to go East for his fam- 
ilj-, but on his way back found that the Indians 
were verj^ troublesome, and therefore concluded to 
remain in the f^ast. 

Mr. Tewksbury' now bought a twelve years' 
lease on a fruit farm in Southern Illinois, and 
made a purchase of land. This he sold out in Au- 
gust, 1866, and visited New York Citj', investigat- 
ing a patent right. In the space of three months 
he found his cash account increased by several 
thousand dollars, and he then became .Secretary 
and Financial Agent for a Joint Stock Manfactur- 
ing Comp.any, with a capital stock of #300,000, and 
held this position two years. In the winter of 
1868-69 Mr. T. returned to Iowa, located at Farm- 
ington, and engaged in the clock, jewelry and pho- 
tograph business. He operated this until 1876, 
when, leaving an assistant in charge of his business 
at Farmington, Mr. T. went to Ft. Madison and es- 
tablished his present business. Everything worked 
successfully, and he then sold out his business at 



Farmington. Besides his property in Ft. Madison 
he owns a i)hotograph galler}' at Nauvoo. 111., and 
is accumulating a comijetency. 

Joseph R. Tewksbury and ^liss E. C. Crubb 
were united in marriage May 27, 1856, in Farming- 
ton, Iowa. Mrs. T. is a native of Ohio, having 
been born at McConnellsville, Morgan County, in 
18:M. Her father, Walter W. Grubb, came to 
Iowa in 1841, and was for many years Postmaster 
at Farmington. Of this union there were born two 
children, twin girls, one of whom died in infancy; 
the one living is Carrie, now the wife of L. C. 
Pike, a wholesale boot-and-shoe dealer of Chicago, 
111. 

Mr. Tewksbury is a gentleman of more than or- 
dinary intelligence, and wherever he has been was 
at once recognized as a man fitted to become a 
leader in the community. He has had a large ex- 
perience in business matters, and has met with ver3' 
fair success in the various enterprises in which he 
has been engaged. He has declined some respon- 
sible positions, among them that of General Ticket 
Agent of the Keokuk & Des Moines A^nllej- Railway-. 
He is extremely gentlemanly and courteous in his 
demeanor, and appears to be eminently fitted for 
the peculiar and delicate business in which he is 
now engaged. As an artist he is a gentleman of 
fine tastes and original ideas, and his gallery is fit- 
ted up in an exceedingly elegant manner, and is the 
resort of the best class of citizens in Ft. Madison. 

vf, OSHUA HARLAN, a prosperous farmer and 
influential resident of Cedar Township, is a 
native of Darke Countj', Ohio, and was born 
^m) July 23, 1838. His father, Nathan Harlan, 
of Barren Count}', Ky., was born Jan. 25, 1799, 
and his grandfather, .Tames Harlan, first opened his 
e3'es to the light of day in the vicinity of Phil;i- 
delphia. Pa. His great-grandfather, Aaron Harlan, 
was conscripted during the progress of the Revo- 
lutionary War, and wounded in the ■• regulation 
battle." His buildings and property were de- 
stroyed by the British, and as soon as he was able 
after being wounded, he tied to South Carolina and 
spent the last yeai-s of his life in Chatham Countj'. 








James Harlan, tlie son of the latter, and the grand- 
{■Mhi'v i<{ <iiir siiliject. was not then old enough to 
be coiisciiptcd, but he volunteered and was en- 
wao-ed in one bnttle, iiftcr wliieli he went to South 
Carolin;i with his f:ither, ;uid lived with iiiin until 
his marriage. The maiden of liis choiee was Miss 
Edie Howard, of Pennsylvania, and after their 
marriage the}' removed to Kentucky in the fall of 
171I8, and were among the early pioneei's of Bar- 
ren County. Tiiey set up liousckoeping, :ind strug- 
gled with all the ditheulties and jjdvations inci- 
dent to the life of the early settler. They had lo- 
!^^ eated ujion a tract of timberland, and while pre- 
paring to put in the crops Mr. Harlan was obliged 
to tr;ivel sixty miles to buy corn and provisions 
for his family. They remained there until 1818, 
;nid iiinde considerable headway toward clearing 
the farm. They then sold out and removed to 
Darke County, Ohio, and purchased 460 acres of 

Kiieavy timber. They went through the same pro- 
cess as bef(n-e, built a log cabin, and by slow de- 
grees prepared acre after acre for the putting in of 
crops. Here James Harlan established a perma- 
nent iiomc, and remained until his death. 

The father of our subject, Nathan Harlan, had 
preceded his parents to Ohio with an elder brother, 
and had built a cm bin upon what afterward became 
the family homestead. Tliey rived boards to cover 
the roof, and the Hoor was made of puncheons, and 
by the time the family arrived tiie two dutiful 
sons had four acres of tlie land cleared and read}' 
to put in a crop. Nathan lived with his parents 
until 1821, and then, at tlie age of twenty-two 
years, was married and settled upon land adjoining 
that, of his father, who had presented him with fifty 
acres. To this he adiled fifty more by purchase, 
and entered eighty acres of (lovernment land. 
The young cou|)le commenced liousekeeping in a 
dwelling built of rails and covered witli rived 
boards. In due time, as their circumstances im- 
proved, a log house was put up, whicii they occu- 
pied until bs,')!, and about this time Nathan Har- 
! Ian feeling, perhaps, like Daniel Boone, that "the 
3 neighbors were getting too thick," determined to 
move to a country where there was nn>re room, 
and iiceordingly, with liis f;imily and an outfit con- 
sisting of four horses, and two wagons, started West 



across the Mississippi. They carried their house- g 
iiold goods and provisions with them, and camped 
and cooked by the wayside. There was plenty of 
wild game idong tiie route, and they had man}' a 
feast which might well be envied by many of the 
denizens of the now populous cities of that region. 

After crossing the Father of Waters, Nathan 
Harlan purchased a farm in Jefferson Township, 
Hemy County. Upon this he and his family lived 
for two 3'ears, and then sold out and purchased a 
f:irtn in Harrisburg Township. The place which 
lie now owns and occujiies is in the same township 
on section 1, and he still owns the farm on which 
he first located on section 2. The home farm con- 
tains 240 acres, finely improved, and is now under 
tlie management of his 3'oungest son. The maiden 
name of the mother of our subject was Sallie An- 
derson, and her marriage with Natlian Harlan oc- 
curred in 1821. Mrs. Harlan was a native of 
Christian County, Ky., and departed this life in 
1 839, at the age of thirty-eight years. 

Nathan Harlan was married the second time in 
1841, to Miss Isabella I'olly, of (Jreene County, 
Ohio, and she died on the 1st of J.anuary, 1884. 
The children of Nathan Harlan by his first marriage 
were : George, now in Clarke County, Iowa ; David, 
of Reno, Neb. ; Joshua, the subject of our sketch ; 
Anna, Mrs. (iarretson, wiio lives in Des Jloines, 
Iowa. Of the second marriage there were born 
seven cliildreu, tlie record of whom is as follows: 
Enos lives in Winfield, Kan.; Hiram and Hufus in 
Warsaw, 111. ; Elisha in .Sumner County, Kan. ; 
Whitson K. and Miriam are at home; Howard lives 
in Van Buren County. ]Mr. and Mrs. Harlan are 
connected with the Christian Church, with which 
Mr. Harlan was connected in 1814, and of which 
he has been Deacon for manj' years. \Vhile the 
Whig party was in existence it remained the party 
of his choice, politieall}', but since the abandon- 
ment of the old by the substitution of the new Ke- 
pnblican party, he has cordially endorsed the prin- 
ciples of the latter, with which he >iniformly casts 
his vote. 

Joshua Harlan of this sketch was a lad of thir- 
teen years old when he accompanied his parents tm 
their overland journey to Iowa, of which he has 
been a resident since that time. His mother hav- 







!r'«s 




ing died when he was an infant, he was reared by 
an elder sister, and after her marriage continued- to 
live with her until coming to [owa, when he was 
taken into the household of liis brother Nathaniel, 
where he remained one year. He then returned to 
his sister for tw(_i years, and after that made his 
home with an uncle until he was twent^'-four years 
of age. This uncle some time previously had en- 
tered eighty acres of land in Clarke County, Iowa, 
and our subject was employed l)_y him at a salary 
of 110 per month, and in due time became the pos- 
sessor of this land. He never occupied it, however, 
but four years later sold, and purchased forty acres 
in Van Buren County. After his marriage he pur- 
chased lOO acres in Cedar Township, a small part 
of which was improved. Upon this he built a good 
house, where he and his wife lived for two 3'ears, 
and then, in lb!66, purchased the present home- 
stead, and now has 200 acres in all. 

Mr. Harlan was trained to habits of industry and 
economy, and now, established in a comfortable 
home, and surrounded by the good things of life, 
he is enjoying the fruits of his earlier toils. He 
has a handsome dwelling, good barns and out- 
houses, and all the appliances for a first-class mod- 
ern farm estate. The grounds around the resi- 
dence are beautified bj' handsome shade trees, and 
in the rear are orchards of fine fruit. It forms one 
of the handsomest locations in Lee County, and in- 
variablj' attracts the eye of the traveler through 
this section. 

The marriage of Joshua Harlan and Miss Martha 
E. Fender was celebrated Sept. 4, 186.3. Mrs. Har- 
lan is a native of Wayne Count}', Ind., and was 
born Dec. 22, 1H44. Her father, Gabriel Fender, 
was also a native of the afore-mentioned county 
and State, and her grandfather, Henry Fender, a 
native of South Carolina, was a soldier of the Rev- 
olutionary War, who at the close of his military 
services, emigrated from his native State to Indi- 
ana, and located in Wayne County, where he spent 
the last years of his life. The father of Mrs. Har- 
lan died when she was eight years old. Her mother 
was Miss Sarah McMahon before her marriage, and 
did not long survive her husband. Mrs. Harlan 
was reared by her elder sisters, and came to Iowa 
in 1H55 with her brother and brother-in-law. 



Mr. and Mrs. Harlan of our sketch have become p 
the parents of three children — Flora B., Laura M. 
and Mabel L. Flora 15. Harlan became the wife of 
Loxey Holmes, and lives in Harrisl)urg Township, 
Van Buren County; Laurn M. married Mr. Aaron ^ 
Ilildebrand, a resident of Cedar Township, Van 
Buren County. The parents are connected with ^ 
the Christian Chureii, and Mr. Harlan is Repub 
lican in politics. 




-^ ^^-^ ^ 

lr70HN W. BONNELL, an honored pioneer 
of Ft. Madison, came to Iowa while it was 
yet a Territory,' and for the space of over 
forty years has been an interested witness of 
the important changes whicli liave taken place along 
the Mississippi Valley. His birthplace was in Essex 
County, N. J., and the date thereof July 14, 1812. 
His father was Sylvanus Bonnell, a native of the 
same State, and his grandfather, John Bonnell, was 
a farmer by occupation, and a native of New Jerse}', 
who spent the last years of his life in the State which 
was the birthplace of his son and his grandson, our 
subject. Sylvanus Bonnell was, what might be 
termed, a natural mechanic. He was the inventor 
and patentee of the circular saw, which has come 
into such general use in this countiy , and in company 
with a brother-in-law, Foster Day, built and oper- 
ated the sawmills near Elizaliethtown. Thej' also 
manufactured veneering, and the father of our sub- 
ject adhered closely to his peculiar branch of 
business until his death in New Jersey, in 1824. 
In early manhood he was married to Miss Nancy 
Bonnell, who departed this life at Springfield, Essex 
Co., N. J., in 1824 or 1825. 

John W. Bonnell, of this sketch, was only twelve 
years old when he was deprived by de.ath of the 
protecting care of a father. The bereaved mother 
kept her young family together until they were 
married and established in homes of their own. 
John W.aud his bi'Other Harvey became extensivelj' 
engaged in the manufacture of cider vinegar at 
Springfield, N. J., until 1843, and then crossed the 
intervening States into the Territory of Iowa, and 
located at Ft. Madison. They were accompanied 



il;iB 




LEE COUNTY. 




liV tlli^ li;il;ilic(: nf tllc liousfhdld. .•mil \\w five 
bi'otliers engageil in iiiercaiililo pursuits t'nr alioiit 
tliree years, when' they sold oiit and purchased a 
large tract of wild land near Dover, and engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising, and speculated 
considerably in land. The brothers ojierated thus 
in Lee Countj' for some j'ears, then dissolved part- 
nership, and three sought other localities, while 
John W. and his brother William have continued 
operating together until the present time. They 
have been reniarkalily successful in their under- 
takings, and arc now the possessors of three farms 
of 200 acres each, which they lease to other parties. 
William makes his home with his brother Harvey 
in l)o\er, this count}'. .I(»hn W. lived on a farm 
until IS7(i, when he came to Ft. Madison and liuilt 
his present residence. It is beautifully situated on 
the bluffs, overlooking the cit}', and commanding 
an e.xtensive view up and down the Father of 
Waters and across to Illinois. 

John W. Bounell and JMiss A. Rosanna Hoover 
were united in marriage near Dover, Oct. 0, 1857. 
JMrs. B. was a native of South Carolina, born Aug. 
11, 1833, and the daughter of John and Barbara 
Hoover, who settled near Dover at an early day in 
the history of this section. Of this union there 
was born one son, Arthur F., who died in infancy. 
Mrs. Rosanna Bonnell died Sept. 9, 1858. The 
second wife of Mr. Bonnell was Miss Eliza M. Pit^ 
man, to whom he was mairied May 27, 1803. This 
lady is a native of Lee County, and was born July 
l',), 1839. ■ Her father, Lewis Pitman, was a native 
of Kentucky, and her grandfather, Richard Pitman, 
of Tennessee, was of English ancestry and parent- 
age. Her great-grandfather, Alex Pitman, was born 
in England, and emigrated to this country when a 
young man. 

Lewis Pitman was born in Laurel County, Ky., 
June 11, 1794, and was reared in his native State. 
In 1 835 he removed with ox-teams to Lee County, 
Iowa, which was then a wilderness, and included in 
the Territory of Wisconsin. He was accompanied 
by his family, and they camped and cooked by the 
wayside and took shelter under the cover of their 
wagon at night. Lewis I'itnian made a claim in 
what is now West Point Township, built a mill, and 
established a homestead, upon which he remained 



is(;2. 



"« s 



iiiilil his (Icalh. uhii-h occurcil Feli. 21 
was married, when a young man. tv Miss Permelia 3n} 
Warren, of Fast Tennessee, who was born Aug. 30, 
1804. She survived her husband initil 1875, 
dei)arting this life on the 29th of December of that 
year, after having become the mother of eleven 
children. She left behind her a record of womanly 
virtues and kind deeds, ami at her death was 
mourned li_v a large circle of friends. 

Of the union of ]\Ir. and Mrs. B. there have been 
born four children, old}" one of whom is living. 
Bertram L. Mrs. B. is i)rominently connected with 
the Methodist Church, and Mr. Bonnell, politically, 
affiliates with the Rei)ublican part}-. He has been 
an imi)ortant factor in the growth and develop- 
ment of this section of the country, and has aided 
materially in bringing it to its present position. 
As one of that honored band, who are passing awaj' 
one b}' one, he is viewed with peculiar reverence 
and respect as the representative of almost a l)y- 
gone age. He is still a hale and hearty ol<l gentle- 
man, with much of the industry and energy of his 
early manhood, and affords a worthy examjile, 
which many a yoiinger man might follow with good 
results. 

'^ OSEPH G. BERSTLER, a highly respected 
citizen of Ft. Madison, is Clerk of the Iowa 
State Penitentiar}', and is fulfilling the du. 
ties of his position with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to all concerned. Our subject is a 
native of Chester County, Pa., and the date- of his 
birth was July 4, 1832. His father, John Berstler, 
was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and was a 
schoolmate of James Buchanan, but they never 
agreed upon political questions. He was a paper- 
maker by trade, and in early manhood was united 
in marriage with Miss Anne Strain, a native of the 
same State and county as her husband. They re- 
moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1834, being 
among the first settlers of Ouernsey County, from 
which they afterward removed to Belmont County, 
where the mother died in 1858. 

There were nine children in the parental family, 
seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are liv- 
iu"-. Five of the sons enlisted in the I'liitcd States 



service, remaining in tlie army until the close of 
the war, and all returned home in safety. One of 
the daughters, Mary A., became the wife of Robert 
Mack, and lives in Guernsey Countj-, Ohio; Eliza 
J., Mrs. Thomas Burris, is a resident of Texas 
County, Mo. ; the next in order of birth was our 
subject, Joseph G.; John M. was a private in the 
■2d Illinois Cavalry, and is now engaged in farming 
in Keokuk CouiUy, Iowa; Francis M. was a mem- 
ber of the 30th Ohio Infantry, and is now in 
Guernsey County; Oliver H. is a resident of Iowa 
County, Iowa; George H. was in the 65th Ohio In- 
fantry, and resides in Belmont County, Ohio; .Sam- 
uel C. was a member of the 28th Iowa Regiment, 
and is Guard in the penitentiary; Anson L. resides 
in Iowa County. The father removed to Iowa in 
1861, locating in Iowa County, where he remained 
until the close of his life, in 1882, at the advanced 
age of eighty-four years. 

Joseph G. Berstler was brought up to the trade 
of a wool manufacturer in Ohio, and afterward 
pui'sued the same occupation one j-ear in Massachu- 
setts, lie came to Iowa in 1855, and located at 
Cedar Rapids, engaging at his trade until 1857. He 
then went to Iowa County, and followed farming 
for the next four years. At the outbreak of the 
■M Rebellion in 1861 he enlisted in the Union service 
iis Fourth Sergeant of Co. I., 13th Iowa Vol. Inf. 
In 1863 he was promoted to the rank of Orderly 
Sergeant, and two years later to Second Lieutenant, 
with which rank he was mustered out in 1865. He 
participated in all the engagements of his company, 
and at the battle of Atlanta received a gunshot 
wound in the head that disabled him for some time. 
He was at the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Vicks- 
burg, and went with Sherman through the Atlanta 
campaign and the march to the sea. 

After his return from the army Mr Berstler re- 
turned to Iowa, and followed farming until 1869. 
il He was then elected Auditor of Iowa County, 
'|e when ho filled .in unexpired term and by re-election 
1^ served a full term. He afterward served two full 



m 



terms. He was afterward Clerk in the office of the 



jt State Superintendent of Public Instruction for 
:E eight months, and was appointed to his present po- 
sition in 1884. 



Mr. Bei-stler was married, Jan. 1, 1857, at Cedar 



Rapids, to Miss Mary E. Plummer, of Bangor, Me. 
Of this union there were born seven children, one 
of whom died at the age of six vears. The living 
are Annie L., Jennie E., Wallace F., Charles S.. 



Ellen C. and John. Mrs. Berstler departed this r 

1 
\ 



life iu March, 1883. .In politics Mr. B. is strongly 
Republican. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and a 
member of Social Lodge No. 231, and of Jerusalem 
Chapter No. 72, R. A. M. He is also a member of 
John Dillon Post, G. A. R., at Marengo. 

l/OHN G. KENNEDY, a pioneer resident of 
Ft. Madison, is the only man living in this 
vicinity who was here at the time he made 
his first settlement in Lee County, in 1836. 
He is possessed of a rich and peculiar experience, 
and the changes which he has witnessed since his 
first arrival here have been as remarkable as they 
are pleasing. The country was wild and unsettled 
at that time, and only wild animals and Indians 
roamed over the plains and through the forests. 
Here and there, to be sure, was the cabin of a lonely 
but adventurous settler, but thej- were few and far 
between, and it required a courageous spirit to 
decide upon making a location in such a wild region, 
and wait for the slow advance of civilization. The 
pioneers of the olden time, however, were made of 
stern stuff, and John G. Kennedy was a fine example 
of the men of that day. He came here to stay, and 
had no thought of going back after he had once 
put his hand to the plow. 

.John G. Kennedy- was a native of Granville 
County, N. C. and his birth occurred April 17, 
1812. His father, John Kennedy, was born in the 
same county, and his grandfather, James Kennedy, 
was a native of Ireland, who emigrated with his 
parents to America when a small child. They 
made their first location in Granville County, N. 
C, being early settlers in that locality. Their son 
James grew to manhood there, was married in that 
county, and remained there all his lifetime. John 
Kennedy, the father of our subject, became a soldier 
iu the War of 1812. He was united iu marriage 
with Miss Elizabeth Mangi-um, a lady of English 
parentage and nativity, who emigrated to this 




m 



mi 




E 




M 382 



LEE COUNTY. 



country with her parents, lived with her husband 
in Granville County, and died there in about 1816. 
The parental family fonsisted of nine children, and 
soon after the death of the wife and mother, John 
Kennedy- sold liis farm and started with four horses 

^ "° and a wagon, accompanied by his children, for 
Tennessee. lie purchased a farm in Henderson 

JHiH County, and engaged in the culture of cotton, 
tobacco, grain and potatoes, and was thus engaged 
for the remainder of his life. His decease occured 
in about the year 1 84(i. 

The subject of our sketch was the j'oungest child 
of his father's family, his brothers and sisters being 
as follows: Sylvia, Jemima, William, James, Mary. 
Elizabeth, Lucy, Alfred F. John G. was but four 
years old when he was deprived of the affectionate 
care of his mother, and seven years old when his 
father removed to Tennessee. He remained with 
his father until the age of seventeen, when he 
engaged to learn the carpenter's trade at Lexington, 
where he served for three years. In 1 833 he set 
his face westward, going into Illinois, and making 
his first location at Rushville, Schuyler County, 
where he commenced to work at his trade. In the 



Pj C spring of ISSr) he went tci Galena, making the trip 
ri^=T via the Mississippi River. The boat touched at 
Burlington, and during the few moments of its 
delay there he, with others, went ashore and assisted 
in raising the first frame house erected in that now 
thriving and ])rosperous city. He remained at 
Galena two months, then returned to Rushville, and 
lived there until the following ^ear, when he set out 
to cross the Mississiijpi, and on the 12th day of 
April found himself at Ft. Madison, where he soon 
found employment at liis trade. He pursued this 
for some years, and in 1852 started for California, 
via the Mississippi River and Isthmus of Panama. 
He entered the mining regions there and was 
'noccnpied for a time, thence proceeded to San 
t Francisco, and was again emphjyed at his trade 
[until 18.')4. Then, longing for the sight of old 
friends and old associations, he returned to Ft. 
Madison and settled down, resuming his former 
^^^joccupation. 

When Mr. Kennedy first came to Ft. Madison 
there were onl^- a few cabins in the town, in fact it 
Tiad hardly assumed the dignity of a village. It 




must seem to him like the dream of a night when 
he compares the scenes of that time with those of 
the present. He has been a useful man in his com- 
munity and has assisted b3' every means in his 
power toward advancing its interests, concluding 
rightlj' that the interests of the community were 
also identified with those f,f each iiKli\idual mem- 
ber. He enjoys the highest respect and esteem of 
his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Kennedy was married, Jan. 10, 1837, to Miss 
May C. Vance. ]Mrs. Keiniedy is a native of 
Kentucky, and was horn July 20, 1817. Her father 
was Andrew Vance, a well-known pioneer of Han- 
cock County, 111. Of this union have been born 
seven children. The record is as follows : Lucretia. 
now deceased, w.as born Sept. 16, 1838; Eliza J., 
born Aug. 27, 1841, is the wife of A. Johnson, and 
lives in Sacrnmento; George J., born Sept. 12, 
1844, is a resident of Ft. Madison: Emma A., born 
Nov. 12, 1847, is the wife of Dennis Morrison, of 
Ft. Madison ; Katie E. is deceased ; Mary E. became 
the wife of F. Morse and lives in Nebraska City; 
Thomas B. was born July 29, 18.59, and lives in 
Ft: JIadison. The faithful wife and mother de- 
parted this life June 18, 1880. 

In politics Mr. Kennedj' always votes with the 
Democratic party. He has been a man of prom- 
inence in his communitj-, and has held the various 
offices of trust within the gift of his fellow towns- 
men, among others holding the position of Deputy 
Sheriff. Constable and City Marshal. In present- 
ing the )3ortrait of this veteran pioneer, which we 
do in this connection, we know it will be ai^preciated 
as that of the features of one uf the grand old men 
who did S(i much in the early history of this section 
toward its development. 



-^<><-^ 



— ;js~^ 




C. DAVIS, one of the earlier residents of 
f< Ft. Madison, is a native of Frankfort, Ky., 
and first opened his eyes to the light July 
30. 1846. Mis fatiier, William H. Davis, 
was a native of Ohio, and his grandfather, William 
Davis, was also for many years a resident of the 
latter State, spending bis last d.ays at Fostoria, 
where his remains were finally laid to rest. Will- 
iam H. Davis grew to manhood in Ohio, and was 



Ji^^: 



rTiTiimniJ 



(r 



urmrxTTfi uniLii-ih nrrrrr*^ 



=1 ni XTTT 



irTTTrTTlUxTTTrm mmrrr"! '.- 



LEE COUNTY. 



383 _Bi 



thei'e iiiairied to Mis'- Margaret Davis. He re- 
ceived a good education in the public schools, and 
entered upon the studj' of medicine, graduating at 
the Cincinnati Medical College, and entered upon 
the practice of his profession at Dublin and Bell 
Point, in Franklin County. Ohio. From there he 
took a trip .South and bejond the Gulf into Cen- 
tral America, returning to the United .States in 
about two 3ears, and to his old home in Ohio. 
Thence he removed to Kentucky in 1K44, remained 
there three years, returned once more to Ohio, and 
in 18.55 crossed the Mississippi and came into the 
Hawkej'c State. He made his first location at Ft. 
Madison, where he practiced for one j'ear, and then 
became interested in railroad matters. Thereafter 
he assumed the management of a hotel, and was 
thus occupied until 1861. At the breaking out of 
the late Civil War he resolved to lay aside his per- 
sonal interests and business matters and become a 
soldier of the Union. He accordingly enlisted in 
the 21st Missouri Regiment as Assistant Surgeon, 
and was engaged with his regiment at the battle of 
Shiloh, after which he was transferred to the 18th 
Missouri, and remained as Acting Surgeon until his 
death, which occurred July '27, 1862. His remains 
are buried at Corinth, Miss. 

The p.irental household included six children, 
five of whom grew to maturit3^ The subject of 
our sketch was the eldest child, and was nine years 
old when his parents removed to Iowa. At the age 
uf fourteen years he started out for himself, and 
engaged as a second clerk on the steamer Pomroy. 
He was thus occupied for four seasons, and in De- 
cember, 1864, while the Civil War was in progress, 
he enlisted in Co. G, 147th 111. Vol. Inf. The regi- 
ment first proceeded to Nashville, thence to Ameri- 
cus, Ga., and from there to Savannah, where they 
remained until the close of the war, when Mr. 
Davis received an honorable discharge. 

Upon his return home from the armj' Mr. Davis 
engaged as a traveling salesman for a Chicago no- 
tion house, and was thus occupied for a space of 
four years. He then engaged as clerk on a river 
steamer, the Little Eagle, which plied between 
Stillwater, Minn., and St. Louis, Mo., and followed 
the river each season until the fall of 1 884, when he 
decided to make a permanent location upon terra 



firma, and in January-, IHHo, established a boot and 
shoe store, in which business he has since been en- 
gaged. 

The marriage of B. C. Davis and Miss Lizzie 
Brown took place Jan. 30, 1879. Mrs. Davis is 
the daughter of Daniel T. and Maria (Foster) 
Brown, and of her union with our subject three 
children have been born — Daniel C, Bessie Lee 
and Frank. Mr. Davis is a prominent member of 
Ft. Madison Lodge No. 157, I. O. O. F. ; of the 
A. O. H. No. 162; Star Lodge No. 154, A. O. U. 
W., and James B. Sample Post, G. A. R. He is 
popular among his comrades and a man generally 
respected in the community. He is building up a 
good business, and by his genial and obliging man- 
ners securing first-class patronage. 

Mr. Davis has two brothers living — Charles J., a 
resident of Beloit, Kan., and engaged as a telegraph 
operator; and H. Lee, a dentist, who is a resident 
of Pemberville, Ohio. William H., a younger 
brother, was brutally murdered at Pine Bluff, Ark., 
Feb. 21, 1879. 



2H5<q 




Di, 



t^^tL 



S" 



< ' ^^ ' I ' 



nsxt-T 




ENJAMIN MILES, of Cedar Township, is 
Superintendent of White's Manual Labor 



Institute, and is fulfilling the duties of this 
important position with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to all concerned. This institution 
is one of the most important in the Hawkeye State, 
and destined to accomplish a vast amount of good. 
An interesting history of it will be found on an- 
other page of this work. 

Superintendent Miles is a native of Ohio, and 
was born in Newton Township, Miami County, 
Nov. 3, 1819. His father, William Miles, was a na- 
tive of South Carolina, born in the Newberry Dis- 
trict, and his grandfather, David Miles, was a 
native of Pennsylvania; his great-grandfather, 
AVilliam Miles, a native of Wiltshire, England, 
emigrated to the United States, accompanied by 
two brothers, and purchased a part of the land now 
included in the city of Philadelphia. Jonas was a 
merchant, and Thomas a ship captain, who engaged 
in merchant trade among a fleet of vessels. Will- 









384 



LEE COUNTY. 



iam Miles finall}' settlerl in South Carolina, where 
he spent the remainder of his life. His son David, 
the giandfflther of our siiliject. removed from South 
Carolniii to Ohio in l«();i, being among the early 
settlers of Miami Countj'. He purchased a tract 
of timber land, cleared a farm from the wilderness, 
and established a home, where he remained until 
his death. His son William, the father of our sub- 
ject, was nineteen years old when his parents re- 
moved to Oliio and settled in Newton Township. 
He remained with them until his marriage, and then 
purchased a tract of timber land adjoining the farm 
of his father, which he cleared, cultivated, built a 
comfortable dwelling and out-buildings upon it, 
and remained there the l)alance of his lifetime, 
with the exception t)f the last two 3'ears, which were 
spent about a mile distant. His wife, before her 
marriage, was Miss Mary I'earson of South Caro- 
lina, and of English descent. Her grandfatiier was 
Ma native of Standing Stone, England, whence he 
emigi-ated to America and settled in South Caro- 
liua. The mother of our subject died at the home 
of her daughter in Cedar County, Iowa, in about 
1877. The |)areutal household included eleven 
children, all of whom grew to mature j'ears. The 
parents weie leared iu the Friends' Church, and 
during their entire lives remained loyal to the re- 
ligion of their forefiithers. 

Benjamin Miles of this sketch was the fifth child 
of his parents' family, and was reared on the farm, 
being educated in the Society schools. He made 
his home with his parents until he was twenty-two 
years of age, and then rented a farm near the par- 
entiil homestead, which he cultivated for six j'ears. 
His father then gave him forty acres of heavy tim- 
ber land, and he purchased fortj- more of his 
brotiier. He t)uilt a house, cleared sixty iicres, and 
remained ujion it until l.s.tG. In the meantime he 
had added to iiis landed possessions, until at this 
date he was the owner of 200 acres. He now sold 
out, and determined to seek the countrj' beyond 
the Mississippi. He accordingly crossed the P'ather 
of Waters and located in Springdale Township, 
Cedar County, purchasing a farm there, which he 
occupied until 1 son. From there he went to the 
town of West Branch, in the same county, and in 
January, 1873, he and his wife decided to abandon 





the business and pursuits of farm life in order to 
become connected with the Government school at 
the Osage Reservation, in the Indian Territory. 
.Mr. Miles was proffered the position of Superin- 
tendent, and Mrs. M., of Matron, which positions 
they held in this institution for three years. They 
then returned home for a brief rest, and in 1S78 re- 
turneil to tiie Reservation, and were employed 
there foi' another three years. Mr. Miles as .Supei'- 
intendent, and Mrs. M. occupying her former po- 
sition as Matron. At the expiration of tiiis time 
they returned to Cedar County, and in lanuary, 
1H8;3, Mr. Miles established an Indian School at 
West Branch, Cedar County, anil after getting this 
fairly up(ni its feet, moved the institution tn thi^ 
pl.ace the following year. Mr. Miles establisiieil 
the Indian School at "West Branch as a Government 
institution, but in l!-i8;3 he deemed it.advisable to 
make a change, and accordingly arranged with the 
Trustees of White's Manual Labor Institute t.. 
transfer the school there, and it was done, with ex- 
cellent results. 

Mr. Miles has been twice married, the first time 
on the 21st of September, 1841, to !Miss Prudenc. 
J<mcs, a imtive of Montgomery County, Ohio, ami 
daughter of .lohn .lones, of Georgia, and of En- 
glish descent and parentage, liut living in Ohio :ii 
the time of Mr. M.'s marri.age. .Mrs. Prudence 
Miles, after remaining the companion of her hus- 
band for fifteen years, departed this life on tbr 
2.')th of .lanuary, 18.t(;. Of this marriage there wen 
born three children: Is.aiic N., who is associated 
with his father in the school; Laban .1., an Indian 
Agent of Ai'kansas City, Kan., and Laura E., wiio 
became the wife of H. J. Minthorn, of Newberg, 
Ore.; they are connected with the Pacific .\cademy 
as Superintendent .and Matron, resi)ectively. 

The second marriage of Mr. Miles was witli Mis- 
Eli/.nlieth R. Bean, and took place Jan. 14, 18.'i.s 
Mrs. Miles is a native of New Hampshire, born in 
Str.«ifford County, Dec. 6, 1827. Her father. .Tolm 
Bean, was a native of the same county, .as also wn- 
hei- grandfather, Joel Bean. The latter was m 
farmer of Strafford Count}', where he spent tin' 
last years of his life. His son John, the father ot 
Mrs. Miles, remained there until 1854. ami then 
made bis home with his son until his deatli. John 







T^'rJ,^ rJ^(^ 











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|P£SE£f 



LEE COUNTY. 




Bean, in earl}' inanhoufl. was united in marriajie 
with Miss K;iizabeth Hill, a native of Alton. .She 
now lives with her son in San Jose, Cal. 

Benjamin and Mrs. Elizabeth Miles have beeonie 
the |)arfnts of two children — Mar}' K., n Principal 
of the Alanual Labor Listitute, and Benjamin C, 
who is now teacher in the Pacific Academy at New- 
lierg, Ore. The family are all connected with the 
Society of Friends. Mrs. Miles is a highly educa- 
ted and acct)niplished lady, with fine literary tastes, 
and a great favoi-ite among the cultured people of 
Cedar Townshii). She is peculiarly fitted for the 
difiicult and responsible position, and fully adapted 
to be the coinpaiuon of her husband in his labors 
.as a tutor, educator and superintendent. Their 
children have been carefully trained and finel}' ed- 
ucated, and bid f;iir to do honor to their gifted 
parents. Mr. Miles is singularly unassuming in his 
manner, a genial c<inipainou and fine conversation- 
alist. Both ih'. and Jlrs. M. have great responsi- 
bilities, and it would l)e dilHcult to find a lady and 
gentleman l)etter fitted for their self-imposed tasks. 

JOIIN A. HENZEL, editor and publisher of the 
Keokuk Post, is conducting his paper with 
abilitj' and success. The Post occupies a 
prominent place among the German news- 
papers of this section, and is highlj' valued among 
the class of population for which it is especially in- 
tended. Our subject is a native of Darmstadt, 
capital of the Grand Duch}' of Hesse, and was born 
July i, 1 840, his parents being John A. and Catha- 
rine (Gassenberger) Henzel, of German ancestrj- 
and nativit}'. John Henzel, Sr., was engaged in 
mercantile pursuits during his entire life and died 
in 1852. The wife survived her husband two 3'ears. 
They were members of the Lutheran Church, and 
John Ik'uzel took a deep interest in both the re- 
ligions and political affairs of his native country. 
The\' became the parents of eight children, five 
now living and in the United States. They are 
Fred, Wilhelniina, Caroline, John A. and George. 

The subject of this biograph}' was placed in 
school at the earl}' age of six years, and pursued 
his studies uninterruptedly until he was fourteen. 



zfxnromnxxi 



He was an ambitious boy, with an eye to the future, 
and soon after leaving school set sail for the United 
States. After reaching Americau shores he pro- 
ceeded to St. Louis, Mo., where he remained one 
year, and then going to St. Charles, engaged to 
serve an apprenticeship of three years at the print- 
er's trade. After becoming a journeyman he re- 
turned to St. Louis and worked two years, and 
then songlit rest and recreation in a pleasure tour 
throughout the States of Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, 
Kaiisas, Nebraska and Colorado, finally locating in 
Nebraska City, where he purchased and published 
the Xe/jraska Staats ZeituiKj for five years. He 
then sold out, and returned to St. Louis and en- 
gaged in the newspaper business for the ten years 
following, when he purchased the Alton BantiPr at 
Alton, Madison Co., 111., and removing there con- 
ducted his paper for three years. At the expira- 
tion of this time he .sold out, and in 1866 came to 
Keokidc, purchasing the Post, the only German pa- 
per in the county. 

Mr. Henzel was married in Alton, 111., in 18,H4, 
to Miss Anna, daughter of August Luetke, a na- 
tive of Germany, and of their union has been born 
one child, a son, Eugene T. Socially Mr. H. is a 
member of Germania Lodge No. 299, I. O. O. F., 
at Alton, 111. 



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7^ RANK HA(iERMAN, of the law firm of 
Anderson, Davis & Hagermau, Keokuk, 
/1|, ^^ Iowa, is considered one of the brightest at- 
torneys among the younger members of the bar in 
this city. He is the sou of B. F. and AnnS. Hager- 
mau, and was born in Clark County, Mo., April 
27, 18.')7. His family removed to Keokuk when 
he was a child of seven years, and he was educated 
in tiie public schools of the city, graduating from 
the High School department in 1874. He then 
con)menced the study of law under the instruction 
of P. P. Lomax, and was admitted to the bar two 
years later, in August, 1876, before he was twenty- 
one years old. He immediately entered upon the 
practice of his profession, doing business alone for 
the following three years. He was then admitted 
to partnership in the firm of llagernian, JlcCrary 



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& Hageruian. and continued with them until Feb- 
ruary, 1886, when he became a member of the firni^ 
the name of which is given above. 

Mr. Hagerman has served as City Attorney for 
two years, and is a Democrat in politics. Although 
having been in practice for some years he does not 
relax in his study of his profession, and takes pride 
in striving to excel. There is apparently an ex- 
ceptionall}" bright career before him. His studious 
habits and close application liave won for him the 
respect and admiration of the profession in this 
county, and he ma}' with reason aspire to almost 
anj' position within the gift of the people of this 
section. 

Feb. 22, 1887, occurred the happiest event in 
the life of our subject, his marriage. The ladj' 
whose affection he gained and who consented to ac- 
company him thrtiugh life was Miss Ella C'omstock, 
the highly accomplished and intelligent daughter of 
F. J. Comstoek, of the extensive furniture firm of 
Burrell, C'omstock ifc Co., of St. Louis. The cere- 
mony was performed at the residence of the bride's 
parents, 3447 Lafayette avenue. Rev. Dr. Boyd of 
the Second Baptist Church officiating. 

-^ #>#. ^ 






RS. LOTTIE W. REED, widow of .lames K. 
Reed, owns and occupies a pleasant home- 
stead on section 25, in Montrose Township, 
and since the decease of her husband has 
conducted her landed interests in a judicious and 
praiseworthy manner. She is the possessor of eighty 
acres of finely cultivated laud, which she leases, and 
has a handsome farm dwelling, good barns and out- 
houses, and a tine selection of stock. 

Mrs. Reed is a native of Michigan, and was born 
in Flint, Genesee County, April 18, 183C. Her 
parents were Daniel and Emily (Woodford) Curtis, 
natives of New York. The former was born in 
1802, passed his childhood and youth in his native 
State, and after his marriage emigrated to the State 
of Michigan, living there until 18o0, when he re- 
moved to Iowa, where he resided until his death, 
which occurred at the age of flfty-six years. Tlie 
mother, born in 1801, departed this life four days 
before the death of her husband. Of Iheir union 



there were born six children — George D., Charles . 
II., Lottie W., Lucretia, Edward R. and RubertM. E 
The youngest died some years ago. : 

Mrs. Reed has been twice married; first to : 
Lewis Adams, Dec. 12, 1861. .Mr. Adams was a : 
native of \'irginia, and enlisted as a soldier in Co. E 
A, 30th Iowa \"ol. Inf., in August, 1862, for three : 
years, or during the war. He participated in all : 
the engagements of his regiment, and at Oquawka 
Junction received wounds which proved fatal, and 
he died in the arm}' in November, 1863. Previon- 
to this he was at the siege of Vicksburg and had j 
been promoted Orderly Sergeant. He was a brave j 
and courageous soldier, and endured the hardships 
of war without murmuring or complaint. He never ' 
saw his wife after the day of his enlistment, and 
after his departure for the field a son was born. 
Clarence H., who never saw his father, the date "( 
his birth being Dec. 20, 1862. He is still living. 

Mrs. Lottie W. Adams' second marriage w.i- 
with James K. Reed, and was solemnized April 10, 
1871. Mr. Reed was a native of Preble Count}', Ohio, 
born Oct. 22, 1836, and was a son of Robert and 
Sarah (Kennedy) Reed. He was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and in 1852 left his native State for the 
farther West. He came into Iowa, purchased land 
and established a homestead, and departed this life 
Jan. 15, 1876, after having been married to the 
subject of our sketch only five years. Of their un- 
ion was born one child, Robert, the date of whose 
birth was Feb. 16, 1875. 

Mrs. Reed is a well educated and highly re- 
spected lady ; she enjoys the esteem of a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances, and is a member in 
good standing of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Reed was a Republican in politics. 

^OHN W. BEN BOW, of Ft. Madison, is suc- 
cessfully engaged as a grain dealer at this 
point, and comprises one of tlie im|)ortant 
factors of the business community. He is 
of English descent and parentage, and was born in 
Staffordshire, near Dudley. July 16. 1S31. His fa- 
ther, William Benbow, was ;i native of Hereford- 
shire in the ?auie country, and was reared to farm- 



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ing pursuits. He remained in his native shire one 
year after marriage, then removed to Staffordshire, 
and engaged as a dealer in malt liquors, eider and 
porter for the following six years. He then pur- 
chased a stock of groceries and carried on this 
branch of the business until 1840, but not being 
satisfied with his condition or his prospects in his 
native country', resolved to emigrate to the New 
World. Accordingly, with his wife and four chil- 
dren, he set sail from Liverpool in April, and after 
a voyage of five weeks landed at New York City 
in June. After a few da3^s spent in the latter city 
they started via the Hudson River, Erie Canal and 
Lake, to Cleveland, thence \)y the Ohio Canal to 
Pcn-tsmouth, and from there by the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi Rivers to Nauvoo, III., where they decided 
to locate. Mr. Benbow purchased a tract of wild 
land and engaged in farming until 1843. He then 
disposed of his proi)erty, proceeded north to Ra- 
cine, Wis., and purchased 240 acres of wild land at 
Yorkville, and set about its improvement and cul- 
tivation. 

Mr. Benbow remained at the latter-named place 
for about eleven years, then sold out and started 
on the lake for Chicago, going thence by rail to 
La Salle, 111., from there by the river to St. Louis, 
and at that point purchased a wagon, vvhich he 
loaded with groceries and a quantit}" of furnishing 
goods, and started up along the Missouri River to 
St. Joseph. There, he purchased twenty yoke of 
o.xen, and proceeded overland to Salt Lake City, 
where he purchased 320 acres of land, upon which 
he farmed for two years and then, in 185(j, re- 
turned East, accompanied by his wife, one son and 
Judge Kinne. They came into Iowa, purchasing a 
farm near Denmark, upon which Mr. Benbow set- 
tled with his family and which they occupied until 
1873. He then sold out and removed to Ft. Mad- 
ison, where the3' remaine<l for two years, then went 
to Clarke County, Iowa, and remained there two 
years with a son, whence they returned to Ft. Mad- 
ison and spent a period <jf two years, since which 
time Mr. Benbow made his home with his children, 
and died at Mt. Pleasant on the I'.lth of December, 
I8bG, aged eightj'-four years. 

In early manhooil .Mr. Benliow was united in nnir- 
riage with Miss Ann Bagley, of .Slatiordshire, En- 



gland, who came with her husband to this country, 
accompanied him faithfull}' in all his various wan- 
derings, and died in Ft. Madison, Aug. 26, 1879. 
Their family- consisted of five children, four born 
in England and one in Hancock Couut3', 111. The 
subject of our sketch was the eldest; Louisa, the 
wife of Cornelius Scott, lives three miles from 
Salem, Henry Co.. Iowa; Ann, a daughter, died 
near Salt Lake City, Utah ; Marian H. is the wife 
of William H. Bell, and lives in Burlington, Iowa; 
Edmund B. lives near Osceola, Clarke Co., Iowa. 

The subject of this history was a child of nine 
years old when his parents emigrated to America. 
He accompanied them to Hancock County, 111., 
and assisted in the improvement of the farm there, 
and when they removed to Racine Countj% Wis., 
he drove the stock across the prairies of Illinois, 
which at that time were inhabited principally bj- 
wild animals, and occasionally upon the lonely 
scene would appear the forms of a scattering troop 
of wild Indians. He made the overland journej' 
to Salt Lake, driving six yoke of oxen, and when 
his father returned eastward, in 18.56, our subject 
remained behind to dispose of his stock, lauds and 
farm machinery, which he did to good advantage, 
and the following year returned to his father, and 
assisted him during the harvest season. He then 
purchased a farm five miles south of New London, 
Henr^' Co., Iowa, and engaged in its improvement 
and cultivation until the spring of 18.59, when he 
removed to Des Moines Count}-, and settling five 
miles north of Burlington, took charge of the farm 
of his brother-in-law and superintended the ini- 
IM'ovements going on. Here he remained for about 
foui- years, and in 1863 returned to Lee County 
and rented a farm in Pleasant Ridge Township. 
He operated this the following three 3^ears, and in 
l.sOU purchased a farm in Washington Township, 
where he lived until 1872. He then concluded to 
change his occupation, and coming to Ft. Madison. 
jKirchased the Union Warehouse, and has beensuc- 
cessfuUj- engaged in the buying and shipping of 
grain since that time. He is still in possession of 
his last purchase of land, upon which his son is 
carrying on farming. 

Mr. Benbow was married to Miss Sarah M. Cole, 
April 28, 1854, Mrs. Benbow is a native of Lon- 





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ii 





don, England, bom in August, 1836, and the daugh- 
ter of William ;iiul Sarah ((;<«lin) Cole, also of 
Knglish ancestry and parentage. Of this union 
there have been born seven cliildreii — Williaui II.. 
Ray F., Henrietta M. (the wife of J. B. Williams, 
Jr.), Edmund C. Alfred .]., John L. and All)ert U. 
The3' occupy a comfortable home, and enjoy the 
confidence and esteem of a large number of friends 
and acquaintances. Mr. Henbow is a straightfor- 
ward business man, Republican in politics, and re- 
ligiousl}' he and his wife are connected with the 
Episcopal Church. 

Vf? AMES E. BRICKER, of Ft. Madison, is one 

of the oldest settlers of Lee County, and is 

regarded with that i)eculiar veneration and 

respect which is tacitly accorded the honored 

pioneers of the liawkeye State. Mr. Bricker is a 

native of Johnson County, Tenn., and the date of 

his birth was July 25, 1 832. His father, Ira Bricker, 

was a native of the same State, and his grandfather, 

David Bricker, of Virginia, was an early pioneer of 

East Tennessee, where he spent the last years of 

his life. 

Ira Bricker, the father of our subject, was reared 
to manhood in his native State and learned the 
trade of cabinet-maker. He lived in Tennessee until 
1837, in the meantime iiaving married and become 
the father of three chihhcn. Then, not being quite 
satisfied with his condition and prospects in Tennes- 
see, he set out for Indiana, accompanied by his 
wife and children, making tlie journey with horses 
and wagon. T1k'3- were equipped with their house- 
hold goods and kitchen utensils, and camped and 
cooked by the wayside. They spent that winter in 
Indiana, and in the spring determined to move into 
the liawkeye State. Tliey accoi-dingly started on 
I a boat, via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and 
I landed at Ft. Madison on the 7th of April. Here, 
after having established his family- comfortably, 
he worked at liis trade, and two jears later was su 
k| well prospered that he purciiased a town lot, upon 
whicli he built a liouse and removed into it with 
his family. Here lie passed the remainder of his 
life, his decease occurring In 1872. The niaiileu 



name of his wife, the mother of oui' subject, was 
Sarah Riddle, also a native of Tennessee. She pre- 
ceded her husband to the better laud in 1847, ami 
died in Ft. Madison. The parental family consisted 
of seven children, four of whom are now living: 
Thomas L. is in Ilenr}- County. Mo.; John S. died 
in Ft. Madison in l»So8; Mary became the wife of 
John Whitaker, and lives near Columbus. Neb.; 
Sophia married William Stillwttll, and died in Ft. 
Madison; Louisa is the wife of Uavid Scott, and 
lives in Green Bay Township, this county. The 
other children of the family died in childhood. 



E? 



James E. Bricker of this sketch w.as the eldest KL 

child of his parents, and was but four years old C 

when they removed from Tennessee to Indiana. W; 

Young as he w.as then, he still remembers all the ! 

incidents of the overland journej' and the scenes E'i 

along the route, which he viewed with childish in- ['; 

terest. Ft. Madison was then a small village of log C; 

and frauic houses, and Mr. B. has watched with p 

interest the growth and develoi)ment of the city E 

which h.as been his home for the greater part of his E;} 

life. After .attaining a proper age he learned the »|;} 

trade of cabinet-maker under the instruction of his " 

father, but < nl}' pursued it a few j-ears, choosing i 

instead the trade of a uulhvright, which he after- : 'A 
ward learned thorougiily. serving an apprenticoslii|i 
of four years, and whicli he has followed since lie 
was twenty years oi age, with the exception of one 
year. He attained great skill in this department of Bf 

business, and has assisted in putting in the inachiu- t'^ 
ery of many importiint structures in Lea County. 



lames E. Bricker and Miss Jane Foster were united 3 



in marriage in Ft. Madison in November, 1857. 
Mrs. B. is a native of Ohio, and the daughter of 
Abiier and Mary (Wallingsford) Foster, natives 
respectively of Virginia and Maryland. The grand- 
father of Mrs. B., Seth Foster by name, was also 
a native of Virginia, of excellent Scottish ancestiy. f■^ 
He removed from his native Stale to Kentucky " 
after the Revolutionary Wnv. and afterward to 
Oliio, where he s|)ent a few years, after whicli he 
returned to Kentucky and passed the remainder of 
ills thu>. His son. Abiier Foster, the father of Mrs. 
B., was a young man when his parents removed to 
Ohio, and settled in Adani> County at an earlj' 
[jiiiod in tlie lii.stuiy i>( that section. He lived t' 



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in.-ya'awM- 



LEE COUNTY. 



391 



there until 1 844, and then came to the Territory of 
Iowa, via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, making 
liis first location three miles from Ft. Madison. lie 
only lived two years after coming here, his death 
occurring in 1S4G. The parental familj' consisted 
of ten children, all of wlioni were living at the 
time of their father's death. Eight years after- 
\vard Abt<alom Foster purchased a farm in Appa- 
noose County, and the mother of Mrs. B. spent the 
last j-ears of her life with this son. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bricker tliere were 
born five children, two of whom died in infancj'; 
Clarence A. died at the age of sixteen years ; those 
living are Viola S., who married William Hayes, of 
Jefferson Township, and Florence A., who is at home 
with her parents. Mr. Bricker has been prospered in 
his business as a millwright, and has become one of 
the landed proprietors of Lee County. Li 1868 he 
purchased a farm of 240 acres in Jefferson Town- 
ship, which under his management, has ))ecome 
verj' valuable; it is occupied by tenants, lie has 
ijeen a straightforward business man, and from the 
time of coming here has generously identified him- 
self witli the interests and welfare of his adopted 
home. He has contributed of his time and means 
to the promotion of every worthy object, and is 
held in high esteem bj' an extensive circle of 
acquaintances throughout this section of the State. 
He occupies a pleasant home in Ft. Madison, and is 
in the enjoyment of all the comforts and many of 
the luxuries of life. 



%JJ is the St 



^^^ HARLES HU8SEY, a prominent and enter- 
j'oung farmer of Marion Township, 
second sou of Christopher and Rachel 
R. Hussey. He was born in Highland County, 
Ohio, March 11, 1844, and when al)out eleven 
years of age, accompanied his parents to Henry 
Count3', Iowa, and there lived until he attained to 
man's estate, receiving a fair educaticjii in the com- 
mon schools. 

In 1801, almost at the beginning o! the late 
Civil War, our subject enlisted in Co. K, Otli 
Iowa \ol. Inf., and served his country faitiifully 
and well for four years. He particip.ated in Lwent} - 



eight battles and skirmishes, a few of the more 
important ones being Shiloh, Corinth, Memphis, 
siege of Vicksbnrg, Jackson, Miss., Chattanooga 
and others, and was with Sherman in his never-t(.'- 
be-forgotten march from Atlanta to the sea. He 
was mustered out of the service in July, 18(lo, at 
Davenport, Iowa. He had bek)nged to the 2d 
Brigade, 1st Division, l.ith Army Corps, and 
participated in every battle in which his regiment 
was engaged. At the battle of Shiloli he was in 
Gen. Sherman's division. 

After receiving his discharge, our subject returned 
to Henrj' Count}', Iowa, and lived there until his 
parents" removal to Marion Township, tliLs county, 
when he accompanied them. He has not as j'et 
joined the army of Benedicts, and claims to have 
j found peace, pleasure and happiness in single 
blessedness. 




TLLIAM D. GRIPTITH, [deceased, was 
formerlj' a prominent merchant of Vin- 
cennes, Iowa, and also interested in agri- 
cultural pursuits. He was a native of Cleveland, 
Ohio, born April 22, 182o. His father. Duty Grif- 
titli, was a native of Albany, N. Y., and was 
married in his native State to Miss Barbara Over- 
acker. They subsequently- settled near Cleveland, 
where they became the parents of twelve children, 
of whom the subject of our sketch was the young- 
est but one. They lived to an advanced age, and 
their lives terminated in Des .Moines Township, 
whither they had removed a good many years pre- 
viously. The mother died at the age of seventy 
3'ears, in about 18rj2. The father survived lier 
twent}' years, and made his home witii his son, the 
subject of our sketch, finally passing away in 1872, 
at the age of ninety years. 

Duty (irifflth was a native of Berksliire, Mass., 
born in 1782, and cast his first Presidential vote 
for Thomas Jeffeison. He heard Martin Van 
Buren deliver his maiden speech at the bar, and 
lemoved to New York State in tile early settlement 
of that r,ection of tlie country. Thence lie pioceeded 
lo Ohio before that Territory had become a State, 
and a few years latei' laboriously made his way to 
liuliann with teams, tlienee lo Illinois, where he 



m 



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392 



lp:e county. 



(CixiETr 



Iti^^lfXitt 



assisted in breaking the soil of that new State, and 
then, not yet satisfied with his experience as a 
pioneer, crossed the Father of Waters Miid landed 
uijon the soil of Iowa. He was a niiin of great 
force of character and remarkably kind and aniiahle 
in his disposition. ■• None knew him luit to love 
him. none named him but to praise." Ili.s last 
Piesidential vote was cast for U. S. Grant. From 
early manhood he had been connected with the J^at- 
ter-I)ny Saints, and remained faithfnl in his adhesion 
to tiiat religions sect until his latest breath, lie 
passed away, having- enjoyed the respect of the 
whole community and having been a good citizen. 
fninUing all the duties of life. 

William 1). (irifflth, although :\ native of the 
Buckeye Stale, was educated principally in Illinois, 
to which State he had come with his parents in 
early youlii. He was ambitious and adventuious, 
and in llSoO crossed the Mississippi and the plains, 
and proceeded to the mining regions of California. 
He subsequently purchased a farm about ten miles 
from Stockton, Cal., and was engaged in agiicult- 
nral pursuits for about ten years. He then 
journeyed eastward and tarried for a time in Iowa. 
'Thence he proceeded to Detroit, Mich., where lie 
was married, June 12, 18U2, to Miss Ellen Ilolman. 
a native of Keene, N. H., born Oct. 27, 1843, and 
the daughter of Oliver and Caroline (Reddington) 
Ilolman, natives of the same State. Ilei' parents 
were born and leaicd near the town of Keene, and 
were there mairicd. The household circle included 
the following children : K. D., wh(j resides in New 
York City, and is engaged in mercantile pursuits; 
Klsie, who lives in Chicago, 111. ; Louisa was the 
third child; Henry lives in M.acon, Oa. ; Mrs. (irif- 
fith was the youngest child of her parents' family. 
Her father was a glass manufacturer, and when she 
was tifteen years of age, lu^r pai-ents emigrated to 
Iowa. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. (iriflith re- 
mained three years on the farm of his father. .Mi'. 
(i. established a storfe in V'incennes, Iowa, and Si, 
Francisville, Mo., linally consolidating his business 
br-Hf-g jit Vincennes, where he remained until his death, 
engaged in general merchandise. He was strongly 
Itepublican in politics, and was the Postmaster of 
\ iiiceinies for twelve years. Ht became a member 



mm 



ii 





of the Church of the Latter- Day .Saints a short time 
before his death, and Mrs. (J. is a member of the 
.same organization, earnestly and actively engaged 
in its support and success. Mr. (iriflith was highly 
esteemed in his comnuinity, and held various otiices 
of trust in his township, serving as Notary I'ublic 
f(jr fifteen years with great credit to himself and 
satisfaction to all concerned. He was alwaj's 
interested in educational matters and everything 
pertaining to the welfare of his cominunity and 
county. 

Mrs. (iriftith was the worthy helpmeet of such a 
man .as her husband, and since his decease has 
carried f)n the affairs 'of the homestead with more 
than ordinary ability. She has one child living, a 
son. Ferdinand W., engaged in the lumber business 
at Lincoln, Neb., for the Arm of Howell Bros. 
He is a bright and promising young man, possessing 
marked business ability. Mrs. Orifiith is the pro- 
priett)r of twenty acres of improved land, all under 
a good state of cultivation. She ciccupies a sub- 
stantial farm dwelling and has good barns and out- 
houses. The homestead is one c>f the finest in this 
section of the country, and is replete with all of 
the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 

.^ ^^ ^ 






^^ jMLLlAM W. ALLEN is a leading land- 
owner ;ind stock-grower of l)es Moines 







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*4?\^ Township, owning and occupying a fine 
estate of 297 acres on section 7. Mr. Allen is a 
native of Mason County, Ky., born Feb. 17, 1843. 
His father, \V. S. Allen, was born in Mason Countj-, 
Ivy. The maiden name of his mother was Elsie 
l!ond;she was a Kentucky lady, born and reared in 
the same county as her son and of Welsh descent. 
She became the mother of seven children, of whom 
our subject was the third in order of liiith. His 
p:ireiits set out for the State of Iowa in 186(1. and 
made their first location on the tract of land which 
i> now occupied by tiieii' son, the sidiject of our 
sketih. It was only paitly improved when it came 
into their possession, but they sucitessfuUy culti- 
vated the land, established a comfortable home, 
and remained upon it the balance of their lives. 
The lather departed this life in the fall of IbCJ; the 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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mother survived him seven years, d^'ing in 1872. 
She was a member in good standing of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and her husband politically, 
was a conscientious Democrat. 

When the parents of William Allen emigrated 
to the Hawkeye State he harl not yet attained his 
majority. Me remained under the parental roof, 
receiving careful training at the hands of both 
father and mother, and a fair training in the com- 
mon schools. He was married in Clark County, 
Mo., March 29, 1866, to Miss Eliza Cherry, a na- 
tive of Ohio, born near Columbus, and of American 
parentage. Her father was a farmer by occupation, 
and emigrated to Missouri in the fall of 1856. They 
both still reside in that State, making their home 
at Alexandria, Clark County, and have succeeded 
in their farming operations, and are now living 
in comparative ease and comfort. Mrs. Allen 
remained at home with her parents until her mar- 
riage, receiving her education in the public schools. 
Of her union with Mr. Allen five children have 
been born, namely, Thomas C, at home; Alice, 
Ollie, Anna (deceased) and Bertha. 

Shortly after the death of his father, William 
Allen took charge of the homestead, and has since 
conducted its operations in a successful manner. He 
has also added 118 acres to the original tract, and 
it nov^f constitutes one of the finest bodies of land 
in Lee County. As a citizen, Mr. Allen enjoys the 
confidence and esteem of his townsmen, and has 
filled the offices of Assessor and Township Clerk 
two terms. He is Democratic in politics, and Mrs. 
Allen is a membei' in good standing of the Presby- 
terian Church. 



4±^B ^^ 

ylLLIAM DAVIS, a pioneer settler of the 
llawkeye State, came to this part of the 
country while Iowa was still a Territory, 
and while watching the rapid and remarkable de- 
velopment of this section identified himself with all 
its interests and assisted his brother pioneers in 
marking out a path for the advance of civilization. 
Mr. Davis i? a native of Indiana, and was born in 
a log cabin a quarter of a mile north of the village 
of Economy in Wayne County, on the ITth of 





September, 1820. His father. John Davis, and his 
grandfather, William Davis, were natives of North 
Carolina. .John Davis removed from his native 
State to Indiana in about 1814 or 181.'). William 
Davis, the grandfather, spent the last days of hisCtS 
life with his children, and died at the home of his }: 
daughter in Ohio. He was a remarkable man in 
many respects, the humane element in his character 
being largely developed. He was bitterly opposed 
to human bondage, and spent the greater part of 
his property in behalf of colored people who were 
illegally held in bondage, defending their rights in 
the courts. 

.John Davis, the father of our subject, was reared 
in his native State, and when a young man came 
north and worked at the hatter's trade in Ohio and 
Indiana. He then returned to North Carolina, and 
was married in about 1814 or 181.0. He returned 
to Indiana with his bride while it was yet a Terri- 
I tory, and was among the earliest settlers. He 
bought a tract of timber land, built a log cabin, 
cleared a few acres, and remained there until 1833, 
when he sold out and removed to Henrj' County, 
Ind. He there purchased a partly improved farm, 
and lived upon it for several years, and after he had 
made considei'able improvement in its condition 
sold this also, and going into Wabash County pur- 
chased another tract of timber land, and went 
through the same laborious process as he had with 
the other two. This last constituted his home dur- 
ing the latter years of his life, and he died there at 
the advanced age of -nearly ninety-four years. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Ruth Hadley, a native of the same State as her 
husband. After their m.arriage she i-emoved with 
him to Indiana, where they reared their family, 
carefully trained their children at home, and gave 
them such advantages as the pioneer schools af- ^| 
forded. The faithfid wife and mother departed 
this life about the year 1824, while ovir subject was 
a child three or four years of age. 

William Davis was the third child and second 
son of his parents' family. He was thirteen years 
old when they removed to Henry County. Ind., 
and remained at home until he was twenty year.* 
of age. He then commenced to work at the car- 
penter's trade, was married, and three years after 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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that event started with his wife to establish a home 
i)e3'ond the Mississippi. They accimipanied a 
friend, .lohii .Marshall, and made the trip overland 
with a double team of horsi's, taking with them 
their hou.sehold goods and eainpingand cooking by 
the wayside. They drove two cows and .Mr. Davis 
had ^iW) in i^ash. He located upon rented land in 
Henry County, where he remained for two years, 
in the meantime entering Hid acres, eighty on sec- 
tion Vi of Cedar Township, and another eighty on 
section 11. In 1H48 he settled ni)(iu the first men- 
tioned tr.ut. l)uilt a small frame house, and lived 
there until 1H.')2, al which time he stild it and 
moved to the place which he now owns and occu- 
pies on section 1 1. The present homestead is finely 
improved ami cultivated, witii a good set of build- 
ings and all the appliances for carrying on agricult- 
ure after the most approved methods. 

Mr. Davis was married in I.S42 to Mis.s lluldah, 
laughter of Ira Hough, of Indiana (see sketch of 
ough). Mrs. lluldah Davis leniained the 
faithful eom[)anion of her husband for tlie space of 
si.xteen years, and departed this life in 1S;1S. He 
was mai'ried the second time in lWr>. to .Miss Beu- 
iali (Jray, a native of Randoli)h County, Jnd., who 
was born Sept. (!, 1 840. Her father, Absalom (iray, 
was a native of Guilford County, N. C., .ind her 
grandfather, James Gray, of English birth and par- 
entage, was a soldier in the Uevolution.ary War. 
He spent the last years of his life in Wayne County. 
[■' Absalom Gr.ay was a young bo3' when his sisters 
removed from North Carolina tti Ohio, and three 
years later to Indiana. Me grew to manhood in 
the latter State, and after his jnarriage settled in 
Handoli)h Count}', where he remained until 184.3. 
Then, with his wife and eight children, he started 
for the Territory of Iowa. The^' located in Henry 
County, established a comfortable home, and there 
a the fatlier died in 187.S. The mother of Mrs. Da- 
I vis, whose maiden name was .Mary Pickett, was a 
I native of Orange County, N. C, and was born 
Feb. 1. ISO,"). She is still living, and m.-dio her 
honu- with h(-r daughter, .Mrs. Davis. 

Of the lir>l marriage of .Mr. Davis there were 

seven children, three now living: .Melinda, Mrs. 

Hinshaw. of Cedar Township; Elizabeth. .Mrs. 

Clark, .also of Cedar Tuwnship, ami .-iLlfred, of 

ii 



Marion Townshij). By the second marriage there 
is one child, Macy S.. whu lives on section 11 of 
Cedar Towiislu|). Religiously .Mr. and .Mrs. Davis 
are connected with the Society of Friends, and Mr. 
Davis is a Prohibition Republican in politico, lie 
is a gentleman of strictly temperate habit>. never 
having used spirituous liquors in any form, and 
.abandoned the use of tobacco fourteen years ago. 
He is the friend of morality and good order, 
straightforward in his busines:^ methods, and in all 
respects is fulfilling the duties of a good citizen. 





-*- 



.M. COt)K, a gentleman prominent among 
the industrial enterprises of Keokuk, is suc- 
cessfully carrying on the manufacture of 
harness and saddlery goods and everything per- 
taining to this department of business. Mr. C(jok 
is a native of Knox County, Mo., and was born 
Jan. 11, 1852. His parents were Richard V. and ; K 
Margaret A. (Waugh) Cook, natives of Maryland ;; 
and Virginia, respectively. Richard \'. Cook re- z-. 
moved from his native .SUite to Missouri in 1833, ;; 
being among the early settlers of that section. He 5 i 
became proprietor of a farm of 320 acres and was ; ! 
the owner of four slaves. He carried on agricidt- ;; 
iiral pursuits and was also engaged in the bujing :; 
and selling of stock, and accumulated a good prop- 
erty. He departed this life in 18S4 at the age of 
seventy years. He was a stanch adherent of the Dem- 
ocratic part}', and he and his wife belonged to the 
Catholic Church. The mother passed away from 
earth two years prior to her husband, in 1882. 
After first settling upon his purchase in Missouri 
Richard Cook erected a log house in which the B|j 
family lived for eighteen years, and then put up a 
line frame house. The father was a man highly 
respected in his community, .'ind led a strictly hon- 
orable and upright life. 

The parental household included thirteen ehil- Sri 
dren, of whom eight are still living. The record is Bj 
as follows: Richard H, is engaged in farming in Ij 
.Missouri; Mary E., now Mrs. Cody, married a far- a; 
mcr of Adair County, Mo.; William F. is the m 
County .ludgeof Kno.x County, .Mo.; Clement i^ a ^ 
farmer of thai .State; Dennis, who was a traveling ; 







salesman for the .St. Joe Milling Company, departed 
this life Oct. 14, 1886; the next son was the sub-' 
ject of our sketch; Andrew L., of Keokuk, is em- 
ployed as a clerk b}- W. G. Davis; America J. mar- 
ried Mr. Miller, a farmer of Missouri; Thomas J. 
is engaged in harness-making at Canton, Mo. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his par- 
ents and attended school until the age of seventeen 
years. He then commenced working on the farm, 
and was thus occupied for the following Ave years, 
where he concluded to change his pursuits, and go- 
ing to Edina, Mo., served an apprenticeship of one 
year at harness-making, and in 1874 came to Keo- 
kuk. Here he completed his apprenticeship, and 
after three years' service commenced to work as a 
journej'man, and in liS77 returned to Edina, spend- 
ing two years, whence he came back to Keokuk and 
established the business in which he has since been 
occupied. He is conducting a thriving and pros- 
perous trade, and a large jmrt of the time gives 
emploj'ment to eight men. The goods of Mr. 
Cook's manufacture will bear comparison with any- 
thing of the kind west of the 3Iississippi. 

In 1878 C. M. Cook was united in marriage 
with Miss Helen B. Griffey, of Keokuk, and the 
daughter of Jonathan C. Griffey. Of this union 
there have been born four children — Lawrence B., 
Charles C, Beulah V. and Ethel L. They occupj- 
a handsome residence at No. 1314 Orleans street. 
Mr. Cook is Republican in politics, and is one of 
the representative men of the Gate City. 



E 



M. INGERSOLL, a prominent and popular 
business man of Keokuk, is engaged in mer- 
chandising at No. 1229 Main street, and 
deals in groceries, feed and wood. He is doing a 
prosperous and increasing business, and both as a 
business man and a citizen is a general favorite 
among his neighbors and t(jwnsmeu. Our subject 
is a native of Nauvoo, 111., and was liorn March 5, 
1837. His parents were William and Hannah 
(Moore) Ingersoll, of New Jersey and Ohio, respect- 
ively. They came to Iowa in is;3(j, when our sub- 
? ject was an infant three weeks old, making their 
; first settlement in Des Moines County, abciut twelve 



miles from Burlington. This State was then a Ter- 
ritory and remained so for ten years thereafter, and 
the country was inhabited principally by wild ani- 
mals and Indians. 

^\'illiam Ingersoll was a courageous and enter- 
prising man, and after arriving here set about pick- 
ing up a load of furs and other goods from the na- 
tives, and loading them upon a wagon, started with 
an ox-team overland to Chicago. He was gone 
nearly all winter, his family in the meantime being 
at Nauvoo. Upon his return he went to his 
claim of IGO acres of Government lanil, upon whicii 
he erected a log house and commenced the improve- 
ment of his purchase. He was of a speculative 
turn of mind, and began to deal in land and doing 
whatever else he could to turn an honest penny. 
He remained in this locality for ten j'ears, and in 
184(j purchased a small farm west of Keokuk, to 
which he removed with his family', and the}' re- 
sided there until 18.50. He then started across the 
plains for California, and entered the mines in 
search of gold, where he was accidentally killed in 
1S.51. 

William Ingersoll had been a prominent man in 
liis community, and was second in command of the 
train which crossed the plains, the members of the 
company being made up from residents of Jeffei'- 
son Count}', Iowa. During their journey, while 
encamped ne.ar Humboldt River, a party of Indians 
came marching up with the intention of stampeding 
the cattle and murdering the men. Capt. Walker, 
first in command, ordered his men out to meet the 
enemy. Upon coming within gunsliot they fired 
upon the Indians and uniformly retreated in order 
to escape the arrows fired by their enemies. Mr. 
Ingersoll assured tlie Captain that this policy was 
a great mistake antl that the train would fall into 
the iiauds of the foe by pursuing this course. The 
Captain replied, " Uncle Billie, if you know more 
about the Indians than I do, take charge. " " Un- 
cle Billie '■ did as requested and ordered a charge 
without retreat, which routed the Indians into the 
Humboldt River, wliere they were nearly extermin- 
ated. This journey across the plains occupied 
about five months. At his death the family of 
William Ingersoll consisted of a wife and eight 
chiklren. The mother still survives, and is living 




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396 



LEE COUNTY. 



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at Council Orove, Kan. -lane, tlic eldest rtaiighter. 
is now Mis. Stnlts. of Keokuk: the next child was 
William 11.: Mary E. is now Mrs. Reed, of Council 
Grove. Kan.; K. M.. the subject of our sketch, was 
the next in order of birth: Emmie A. is now Mrs. 
\&n Deventer, of Kansas: then followed Alain T.. 
and Joseph M., who is in Kansas: Sarah C, Mrs. 
Roberts, lives in Nebraska. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his 
widowed mother until he w.as twenty-five j'ears old, 
in the meantime receiving a good education and 
assisting in the care of the household. In 1858 he 
went to Kansas, and engaged in farming until the 
fall of 18();i. He then returned to Keokuk and 
was employed as traveling salesman for about five 
months. lie afterward traveled for the Gate City, 
a Republican paper, for one season. He then be- 
came employed in a grocery house as clerk, and at 
the commencement of the war he was one of an in- 
dependent organization wh(j did good service in 
driving out rebels from Kansas and preventing 
them from coming across the Missouri River. In 
1864 he enlisted in Co. C, 4.Tth Iowa Vol. Inf., and 
was honorably discharged at the expiration of his 
term of enlistment. He then returned to Keokuk. 
was engaged in the grocery business for a short 
time, and then, in 1866, became interested indairj'- 
ing for thirteen years, and was very successful. 
After aliandoning this he engaged in the real-estate 
business, which he has continued to this time in 
connection with his merchandising. 

Mr. Ingersoll is Re[iubliean in politics and takes 
a deep interest in the affairs of his State and nation. 
He is a prominent man in Ills party, and has served 
frequently as a delegate to the various County Con- 
ventions. He is the supporter and encourager of 
education, and has served as School Director. So- 
cially he l)elongs to the Iowa Legion of Honor: he 
jgis a stockholder in the Loan and Building Associa- 
tion. He is a memlier in good standing of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and ftir two years was 
SuperinliMident of the I'nion Sahbath-school at 
Pleasant (irovo, Des .Moines Township, which under 
^his management Ijccame very flourishing, with a 
membership of about fifty-five scliolarsand teachers. 

The marriage of K. M. Ingersoll and Mrs. Mary 
A. Seymour, of Keokuk, was celebrated in 1865. 



and of this union there have been born four chil- 
dren — Edgar L.. who is now a young man. and as- 
sociated with his father in the grocery business; 
Lucj' C. Ida M. and Walter .\. Mrs. Ingersoll is 
connected with the Congregational Church. Mr. 
I. is a thorctugh-going business man and the posses- 
sor of a large amount of property. He has two 
farms in Jackson and Montrose Townships, this 
county, and some propertj' withiu the city limits. 
He also owns land in Juneau Countj', Wis. He 
has all his life been enteri)rising, ambitious and in- 
dustrious, and has added materially to the business 
interests of Lee Countj'. 




\*^^ ANIEL SLATTERY, a prosperous farmer 
]^ of Montrose Townshii), occupies a com- 
fortable homestead on section 8. Besides 
the ordinary duties of agriculture he is 
considerably interested in the breeding of fine 
stock, and has some fine specimens of thoroughbred 
Clydesdale horses, Short-horn and Durham cattle 
and Poland-China hogs. His farm is all improved 
and under a good state of cultivation, and he is a 
representative farmer and citizen of this section. 

The subject of tliis sketch is a native of Lee 
County, born at Viele, Jan. 7, 18.59. His parents 
were Daniel and Ellen (Welch) Slattery, natives of 
Ireland. Daniel Slattery, Sr., was born in County 
Kerry, June 22, 1822, and emigrated to the United 
States, landing at New York City in the year 
1845. He was eng.aged at public work until 1860, 
when he came west to Iowa, and here purchased 
eighty acres of land. He at once set about its cul- 
tivation and improvement, and added to his 
acreage as his means permitted. He soon after- 
ward purchased fifty-five acres more, and subse- 
quently added forty, and before his death had es- 
tablished a comfortable home, and was in possession 
of 175 acres of finely improved land. Here he 
passed the remainder of his d.aj's, his decease oc- 
curring April 27, 1885. He was a conscientious 
adlierentof the Catholic faith, and in polities voted 
the Democratic ticket. 

Daniel Slattery. Sr.. was married in 1844, to Miss 
Ellen Welch, who was born March 22, 1822. also 



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LEE COUNTY. 



in County Kerry, the birthplace of her hiisliand. 
Her parents dierl when she was but a child, and she 
made her home among relatives and friends until 
her marriage. The parental household consisted of 
eight children, two of whom died in infancy and 
were both named John, one having died before the 
other was born. Mary, the eld.est daughter, died 
when a young lady twenty-three j-ears of age ; the 
next two were Charles, and Catharine (now Mrs.. 
Lepper^ ; the subject of our sketch was tlie young- 
est child. The Slattery family for several genera- 
tions were intensely loyal to the faith of the Cath- 
olic Church. 

Mr. Slattery of our sketch is a gentleman of 
enterprise and industry, and has met with suc- 
cess in the diflferent branches of his calling. He 
attends strictly to his own affairs, is upright and 
honorable in his transactions, and is highly re- 
spected by his townsmen. He is Democratic in 
politics, and uniformly casts his vote in support of 
the principles of that party. 



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/AMES C. PARROTT. one of the early pio- 
neers of Lee County, came to this vicinity 
m September, 1834, in company with a de- 
tachment of United States troops known as 
the 1st United States Dragoons, Mountain Men, who 
were stationed at Ft. Des Moines, which is now 
Montrose, in this county. At the expiratif>n of his 
term of service, three years later, our subject en- 
gaged in mercantile business at Ft. Madison, inaug- 
urating the first establishment of the kind in the 
city, which was then a town in embryo, and the 
ti'ading principally carried on with roving tribes of 
the Sac and Fox Indians. 

Mr. Parrott continued in business at that point 
for about four years, and until the first land sales, 
which found many without money. The squatters 
sold out as best they could, and left the country. 
Mr. P. remained in Ft. Madison until 1852. at 
which time he came to Keokuk and engaged as a 
clerk in the mercantile establishment of A. Walcot 
& Co., continuing until the firm sold out. He then 
became partner with the head of the late firm, and 






they carried on business until the financial crasli of 
1857. Oui- sulijcct then carried on Inisiness alone 
until isdi, and the Ineaking out of the late war. ^h^^ 
He then commenced recruiting a company, of which 
he was selected Cai)t:iin. and went into camp at Bur- 
lington. They were afterward attached to the 7th 
Iowa Infantry, and went to the front earl}' in Au- 
gust, the first campaign of Capt. Parrott lieing from 
St. Louis to fronton, and Cape (jirardeau, JIo. The3' 
then proceeded by steamer to Cairo, and in No- 
vember proceeded down the river by steamer, and 
made an attack on the enemy at Belmont, Mo., 
wliich was one of the first battles of the war, and at 
which Gen. (Jrant was present as commander. 
Here Capt. Parivjtt was disabled for several months 
l)y a gunshot wound, but rejoined his regiment 
tile following Uecembcr, and soon afterward was 
promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. He 
afterward participated in the fight at Ft. Donel- 
son and Pittsburgh Landing, was in the two days' 
blood}' fight at Shiloh; afterward at Corinth and 
luka, Miss., and in 1864 joined in the siege and 
capture of Atlanta. Thence he went with Sher- 
man's army on the march to the sea, going through 
the Carolinas, and being present at the final surren- 
der of .Tohnson at Rolla, Mo., whence the troops 
went to Washington City, flhere the grand re- 
view took place, and thence to Louisville, Ky., 
where the regiment was mustered out. Lieut. Col. 
Parrott then returned to Keokuk, and was ap- 
pointed route agent on the Des Moines Valley 
Railroad, which position he held until :\Iarch, 
l.S(i7. He was then appointed Postmaster at Keo- 
kuk, which i)osition he occupied for the following 
twelve years. After retiring from this office he 
was elected Justice of the Peace, and has served as 
such since that time, and is also engaged in life and 
fire insurance. 

The subject of this history was born in Easton, 
Talbot Co., Md.. on the 21st of May, 1811. His 
father, Thomas Parrott. was extensively engaged 
as a dealer in wood and lumber, and agent for a 
line of iinckets which ran from P^aston to Baltimore. 
His death occurred at the former place in 1832. 
The mother, formerly Miss Elizabeth Corner, also 
a native of Maryland, was of excellent Irish and 
English ancestry ; she departed this life at Easton, 



ill 




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H9H 



LEE COUNTY. 



in 1816.- The parental family includofl six .hil- 
(Iren. two diUighters and four sons. 

The youth rvnd boyhood of James C. Parrotl wuw 
passed in his native State, where his education was 
conducted, first in private schools, and later at 
Kaston Academy. His mercantile experience lie- 
jran when lie was a boy of fourteen years old, and 
continued four years from tiiat time, in Easton, 
Md. He then went to Baltimore and engaged as a 
-hi|)piug clerk in a wholesale grocery, at which he 
|l!|Hjl!j was employed until ls;!l. He then joined an ex- 
|ij-: |l ploring expeditior, to Wheeling, W. V., and finally 
landed in Cincinnati, where he remained two 
months, and in February, 1834, enlisted in the 1st 
United States Dragoons, at Wheeling, W. Va., and 
proceeded with his company to Jefferson Barracks, 
St. Louis, Mo. Here the ti'oops were ordered to 
the Uocky .M(juntains, and afterward went to 
Ft. (libsou and into the Indian Territory, thence 
to Ft. Des Moines on the Missi.ssippi River, arriv- 
ing there in September, 1(S34, which brings our 
subject up to about the time when he became a 
resident of Keokuk, lie has been the hero of 
many thrilling scenes, and has learned much and 
made good use of his wide exi)erleuces. 

C'ol. Farrott was married in the city of Ft. Mad- 
ison, Sept. I, L.s;3,H, to Miss Henrietta Buckhalt'r, a 
most amial)le and excellent lady of good family. 
Of this union there were born eight children, of 
whom five survive: T. J. is a resident of Ne- 
braska; Betty became the wife of Frank L. Brown, 
and li'" ;s in Keokuk; Robert C. is connected with 
the Canada Tacific Railroad; William fi. is con- 
ductor on the Rock Island Divisii^n of the C, R. L 
cV- P. R. R., his residence being in Keokuk; Clara 
L. became the wife of Frank .1. Warren, and resides 
in San Francisco. Cai. 




RANCIS II. SKMFLE, attorney at law of 
)i Keokuk, and successfully engaged in insur- 
ance, is n liighl>' respected resident of the 
(late City, and a useful and \alued citizen. Mr. 
Semple is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born 
in Bradford County on the North Pennsylvania 
Canal, his father being one of the contractors and 



.■I memlier of the firm familiarly known as SiMnple. 
\\'agner Sz Co. He was also an attorney at law. 
.and familiar to a remarkable degree with all kinds 
of legal business. After arriving at years of man- 
hood Francis iSemi)lc, Sr., determined to make his 
home in the \Yest, and accordingly emigrated to 
Iowa in about 1845, making his first location in 
Franklin Township, this county. Here he built 
up a good practice and became the possessor of a 
fine farm, fi'om which he removed to Ft. Madison 
in 1H74, where ho died in July of the following 
j^ear. The parental family consisted of four chil- 
dren, three sons and one daughter, and our subject, 
Francis LL, is the only surviving member left to 
pei'petnate the family name. 

Mr. Semple of our sketch passed his boyhood on 
his father's farm near the town of F"ranklin, and at 
the age of twenty-one years, the Civil War being 
then in progress, enlisted as a soldier in Co. E, 19th 
Iowa \'(il. Inf., serving as private for a term of 
three years. He p.articip.ated with his comrades in 
the siege and capture of ^'icksburg■, the engage- 
ments at Springfield, Mo., at Spanish Fort and the 
capture of Mobile. His regiment planted the first 
I'nion fiag on the Rio (ir.ande River, and our sub- 
ject after serving bravely and faithfully his allotted 
time, received his honor.able discharge at the close, 
and was mustered (uit in July. ISd,"), at Davenport, 
Iowa. 

After he became a civilian once more ]Mr. .Sem- 
ple returned to the family homestead, and in due 
time was united in marriage with Miss Kate Wal- 
ters, of Franklin Township. Mrs. Semple was born 
in Venango County, Pa., and came with her par- 
ents to Lee County, Iowa, in 1 855, where they 
settled, and established a home, and lived to see 
the march of progress and the country around 
them transformed into lieautiful farms. After his 
marriage Mr. Semple began the studj' of law with 
his father, and was .admitted to the bar at F't. Mad- 
ison in December, 1869. He then located on the 
farm with his father until 1874, when the family 
removed to Ft. Mailison. There Mr. Semple 
opened an office and gave his whole attention t( 
the |)racticc of his profession. In March, 1881, he 
removed to Keokuk, and added to his law pr.actiee 
the business of insurance. He now represents 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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-; twelve of the most reliable companies in the United 
'^^ States. He made rapid strides in his profession, 
and in the summer of 1886 was nominated for the 
District Judgeship by the Republicans, without 
solicitation on his part, but the district being 
5 strongly Democratic, he was defeated, although by 
a small majority. lie is a close student, thoroughly 
acquainted with the intricacies of his profession, 
and considered a safe counselor and adviser in legal 
matters. 



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YMAN W. BUELL. The late Lyman W. 
Buell was an honored resident of the Hawk- 
eye State for a period of thirty years, and 
was successfully engaged as a farmer of Jackson 
Township, where he owned and occupied a com- 
fortable homestead on section 1. He was promi- 
nently identified with every reform and good work 
of his community. 

Mr. Buell first opened his eyes to the light among 
the rugged hills of New England, being a native of 
Watertown, Conn. He was born July 28, 1832, 
and died Jan. 15, 1887. He received careful home 
training, and his primary' education was received in 

3 the public schools, afterward attending the High 
School at "Watertown for a period of six months. 
He was the son of Augustus and Margaret (War- 

j ner) Buell, natives of the same State as their son. 

I They were reared and married in Connecticut and 

: spent their entire lives there. Tiie family consisted 
of five sous, who all lived to years of manhood. 
Only one, however, is now living, \Villiam A. Buell, 
of Litchfield, Conn. 

The subject of our sketcii was the second son of 
his parents, and was deprived of a father's care at 
the age of nine j'ears. He then went to live witii 
.an uncle upon a farm, where lie i-emained until he 
was eighteen years ok4, and then learned the da- 
guerreotype business, which he followed for several 
years, until he left Connecticut and went to the 
State of New York. He remained in the latter 
State about one 3'ear, and then removed West to 
Keokuk, Iowa. He was iiccompanied by his two 
brothers and the young lady who afterward became 
liis wife, and they settled in Keokuk, where he fol- 
lowed his former business until the breaking out of 



the Rebelliou, when he followed the army with his 
artist's apparatus, and was engaged in taking pic- 
tures at Memphis, Little Rock, and other points in 
the South. In the meantime he liad availed him- 
self of the various improvements which were con- R 
stantly being made in connection with his art, and 
as the old process gave way to that of photogra- 
phy, he abandoned the former and perfected him- 
self in the latter in all its details. At the close of 
the war he returned East, where he remained OJie 
year, visiting among old friends and acquaintances, 
after which he again crossed the Mississippi. He then 
decided to change his occupation, and accordingly 
purchased seventy-five acres of land in Jackson 
Township, Lee County, upon which he settled and 
resided until his death. He was successful in his 
farming operations, and aside from the homestead 
became the joint possessor with his son-in-law of a 
large tract of land in Lucas County, Iowa, whicli is 
operated as a stock farm. The home farm is highly 
cultivated and supplied with a fine residence and 
all necessary and convenient out-buildings. He 
conducted his agricultural operations wisely and 
judiciously, and was reckoned among the enterpris- 
ing business men of his locality. 

Mr. Buell was married, in Keokuk, Iowa, Jan. 'J, 
1855, to Miss Nancy H. Doolittle, a native of New 
England, and the daughter of Elezer and Ruth A. 
(Riggs) Doolittle, natives of Connecticut. Her fa- 
ther is the oldest surviving Mason in the State of 
Connecticut; her mother is deceased. Mr. and 
Mrs. B. liecame the parents of two children,^ both 
daughters: Margaret is the wife of J. F. Smith, 
an attorney of Keokuk ; Hortense married Francis 
Williamson, and resides in Montrose Township, 
within a stone's throw of her old home. Mr. and 
Mrs. Buell have an adopted son, Robert A. Buell, 
who resides at home and is now carrying on the 
farm. 

Mr. Buell filled the office of Assessor of Jack- 
son Township for three terms, and was Census- 
taker in 1880. He was Republican in politics, and 
in .all respects fulfilled the obligations of a good 
citizen. He was a man of more than ordin.iry in- 
telligence and enterprise, and w.as known as a kind- 
hearted man and one whose ever3'day life was pure. 
He was conspicucnis .among Siuid.ay-school workers 



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402 



LEE COUNTY. 





during the last 3'ears of his life, and during the 
red-ribbon temperance movement was thoroughly 
identified with it, and in fact was always an active 
worker for and a stanch advocate of temperance 
and morality. Oiiu of his most striking as well as 
commanding characteristics was his love for young 
people, and his desii'e to contribute to their mental 
and moral development. lie was never more 
happy then when in the midst of a throng of young 
persons, talking to and instructing them in the paths 
of rectitude, and in leading their minds to higher 
planes of thought. He was always a leader in 
the literary societies of his community, and in the 
little village where he resided, and was President 
of the society at Sandusky at the time of his death. 
The circumstances of that sad event are briefly re- 
lated as follows: He had just finished a most fervid 
and eloquent address to his society and taken his 
seat, when, in a few moments he suddenlj' threw his 
head back and breathed his last, passing away in 
the arms of his old neighbors and friends, on the 
15th of January, of the present year. He is cer- 
tainly sadlj' missed by the community that had 
grown up to love and respect him. He was a most 
fluent and pleasant speaker, and being a man of 
unusual good judgment and ability his argument 
always carried great weight with his audience. 
He was a kind and indulgent father and husband, 
as well as a most estimable citizen. 

Mrs. Buell has been a member of the Congrega- 
tional Church since she was eighteen years of age. 
Her husband was also a consistent Christian and a 
regular attendant of the church, and in presenting 
his portrait, which we do in this connection, we 
give the features of one of the best men, in all that 
goes to make up a good man, known in the history 
of the county. 



eHlHSTOPIIKR IIUSSEY, Sn., one of the 
substantial farmers of Marion Township, 
and an old resident of the State of Iowa, was 

born in Highland County, Ohio, July 26, 1816. His 
father, also Christoiiher llussey, was born in llan- 
dolph County, N. C, and emigrated to Ohio at an 
early day. The mother of our subject, whose maiden 
name was Kachel Jackson, was also a native of 



North Carolina, and by her union with Mr. Hnsse}' 
became the mother of two children, a son and daugh- 
ter; the latter died some fifteen j'ears' ago. The 
father departed this life at the advanced age of 
eighty yeai-s, at the home of our subject. 

Christopher llussey, Sr., was reared to manhood 
on a farm. He was married, in 1 836, to Rachel R. 
Jloberly, of Highland County, Ohio, and after this 
event he settled on a farm, and followed his calling 
in Highland County until 1819. He then removed 
with his family- to Henry County, Iowa, and loca- 
ted on a farm near the village ot Lowell. There 
he continued to follow his calling of a farmer until 
1875, when he removed to the farm ou which he is 
at present residing in Marion Township. His place 
is a model one, well improved, with a good barn 
and numerous substantial out-buildings. He has 
240 acres of choice land in one bodj', and has made 
a success in his calling. He has dealt quite exten- 
sively in cattle and hog raising. 

The children of our subject are eleven in number, 
three sons and eight daughters; five of them are 
married, have families of their own, and are doing 
well in life. Mr. Hussey is a member of the 
Protestant Methodist Church, and Mrs. Hussey of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian. 



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^ HARLES C. KASTEN, of Ft. Madison, is 
(l( proprietor of the Kasten House, one of the 

^^^' most popular and prosperous hotelrics of this 
section. He is a native of German^', and was born 
near the castle of the Duchess of Braunschweig, 
JMarch G, 1842. His parents were Christian and 
Johanna (Moehle) Kasten, both natives of the same 
Province and still residents there. The subject of 
our sketch, in accordance with the laws and customs 
of his native country, was placed in school at ;i 
very earl}' age and remained until he was fifteen. 
He was then apprenticed to learn mercantile busi- 
ness in the city of Wolfenbuttel, a historic town 
eight miles south of Brunswick on the Ocker River. 
This town is celebrated for its fine churches, its 
two old castles, its excellent schools, and a library 
containing 300,000 volumes and 10,000 manu- 
scripts, including among them much of the hand- 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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writing of Martin Luther. In that citj' Mr. K. re- 
mained for the space of tliree .years. He was then in- 
duced by circumstances to change his plans, and 
abandoning mercantile pursuits engaged as steward 
on the North German Liuyd, a steamer pl3'ing be- 
tween Bremen and New York City. In this capacity 
lie continued until November, 1 86 1 , in the meantime 
crossing the ocean thirty-seven times. He finally 
resigned his position upon making his last voyage 
to New York, and from that city proceeded to 
Chicago and soon afterward to Milwaukee. The 
late Civil War was then in progress, and he had 
only been in America six weeks when he enlisted 
as a soldier in Co. A, 18th "Wis. Vol. Inf. After 
serving out the time of his enlistment he veteran- 
ized in October, 1 864, became a member of Co. B, 
35th Wis. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of 
the war, being mustered out at Brownsville, Tex., 
on the r2th of April, 1866. During his militarj' 
service he participated in seventeen regular engage- 
ments, being at the battle of Shiloh, the siege and 
capture of "\Mcksburg, the battle of Corinth, Cham- 
pion Hills, Jackson, Miss., was with Sherman at 
Chattanooga, and in the 17th Army Coi'ps under 
Gen. McPherson. At the battle of Atlanta several 
members of his regiment were taken prisoner, but 
Mr. Kasten fortunately escaped, and was afterward 
at the battle of Spanish Fort and in Mobile at the 
time of the terrible explosion there. At the close 
of the war he was with the ti'oops stationed at 
Brownsville, Tex., for the pi'otection of the fron- 
tier. He was mustered in as Corporal, when he 
veteranized, and at the time of his discharge from 
the service had been Regimental Commissary Ser- 
geant. 

After receiving his honorable discharge from the 
army iNIr. Kasten came to Ft. Madison and engaged 
with his uncle in the management of the Kasten 
House, having sole charge of the hotel for three 
months. He then went to St. Louis and became 
steward of the famous Lindell Hotel, which position 
he held until the building was destro^'ed by fire a 
few months later. He then returned to Ft. Madison, 
again assumed charge of the Kasten House, and 
conducted it on his own account for the five years 
following. In May, 1872, he leased the Metropoli- 
tan House for two and a half 3'ears, then sold out 



and opened a restaurant. He disposed of this busi- 
ness not hmg afterward to engage in fire insurance, 
which he has successfully followed since that time, 
and afterward added life insurance. He now repre- 
sents seven of the best fire and life insurance com- 
panies in the United States, the latter of which in- 
cludes accident and sickness, and is also general 
agent of Iowa of the G. A. R. Insurance Company. 
Mr. Kasten was married on the 16th of January. 
1 867, to Miss Dora Henrietta Kasten, a native of the 
same country as himself and born five miles from 
his birthplace. She came to America when a child 
three years old with her jjarents, Charles and Dora 
(Elsraann) Kasten. Mr. and Mrs. K. of our sketch 
are the pai-ents of six children : Charles, who man- 
ages the hotel for his father; Dora and Amelia, 
twins; Christina, Adolph and Henry. They have 
a handsome home and are surrounded by all of the 
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. K. 
is a thorough-going business man, honest and up- 
right in his transactions, and enjoys the confidence 
and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is a member 
of James B. Sample Post No. 170, G. A. R., at Ft. 
Madison. 



bEONARD EOFF. This highly esteemed resi- 
dent of Washington Township owns and 
occupies a fine farm estate on section 9. 
He has been a resident of Lee County since the 
spring of 1841, to which he removed from Wash- 
ington County, Ohio. Mr. Eoff was born in Pike 
County, Pa., March 23, 1810, and is the son of 
Jacob and Sarah (Towney) Eoff. When about six 
years old he removed with his parents to Washing- 
ton County, Ohio, and remained there until their 
removal across the Father of Waters to the Terri- 
tory of Iowa. While living in Ohio our subject 
was engaged for several years as a trader along the 
Ohio River between Marietta and New Orleans, 
and with the exception of that period, he has been 
engaged in agricultural pursuits the greater part of 
his life. 

Mr. Eoff was married in Washington County, 
Ohio, Sept. 20, 1840, to Miss Hannah M., daughter 
of William and .Sarah (Mechman) Williamson, 
both natives of Virginia, wiio died in Ohio when 



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LEE COUNTY. 




Mrs. Eoff was twenty-five years old. .Airs. P^off is 
a native of tiu' aforesaid county. l»iiii .hily l>. 
1812. Of this union thcie liavebeen fniir children, 
as follows: Sarah, l)orn Dec. 0, 184a, died in Wash- 
ington Township Fcli. 1, 18«-2, at the age of thirty- 
nine 3'ears; William S. married Miss Rebecca Lou- 
ther, and resides in Washington Township: Mary 
is the wife of Walter L. Gamage, and resides in Mt. 
Pleasant, Iowa. 

The subject of our sketch is a member in good 
standing of the Methodist Church, and politically 
is a staiH'h Republican. His homestead consists of 
200 acres of finely improved land, supplied with a 
comfortable farm dwelling, good barns and out- 
buildings, and all the appliances of a first-class 
agriculturist. 

H. A. T. WEISMANN has been an honored 
jjl resident of the Gate City since 1JS.5G, a 





period of thirty-one years, and in that time 
has built up for himself a reputation as a 
citizen and a physician which is second to none in 
the State. lie is a fine representative of that stanch 
German element which has so materially aided in 
developing the resources of the New World, and 
his character is in keeping with those qualities of 
honesty and integrity which almost invariably dis- 
tinguish his country-men. 

Dr. Weismann was born in the Kingdom of 
Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 24th of June, 1833, 
:uid is the son of John G. and Fredrica F'. (Rut- 
hardt) Weismann, natives of the same country, and 
uf pure German ancestry. John G. Weismann was 
engaged in mercantile business all his life in his na- 
tive conntrj', and died there in 1834. The mother 
survived him for ten years, her decease occurring 
in 1 844. The household circle included eight chil- 
dren, only two of whom are living — A. T., the sub- 
ject of our sketch, and his brother Charles, who is 
still in (iermanj-. 

In confoi-mity with the laws anil customs of the 
Fatherland Dr. Weismann was placed in school at 
the tender age of six years, and pursued his studies 
continuously until he was fourteen. During this 
time he w.as also a i)upil of the famous Latin School 



of that section, and became highlj' proficient. After 
liis studies here were completed he became an ap- 
prentice to learn the drug business, at which he 
served four years, and was afterward engagerl in a 
drug-store at Baden, in the meantime attending a §[ 
course of lectures in the I'ni versify of Heidelberg, 
remaining untler the instruction of the tutors of 
that institution fur two years. 

After eonn)k'ting his studies, young Weismann, 
filled with the worth}' amliition of youth and desir- 
ing to see something of the world and avail himself 
of the opportunities pioffered the enterprising emi- 
grant to the L'nited States, set sail from his native 
country, and after a prosperous voyage, arrived in 
New Orleans on the 2d of February, 18.»3. From 
there he proceeded to Cincinnati, and engaged as 
clerk in a drug-store for two years, at the expira- 
tion of which time he had become the proprietor of 
the business. He carried this on for another year, 
then sold out, and crossing the Mississippi, came 
into the Ilawkeye .State. He located in Keokuk, 
and opened a drug-store on Second street, between 
Main and Johnston, which he operated until 1859, 
when he moved his stock to the corner of Main and 
Eighth streets, continuing there until 18{;3. He 
then took a course of medical instruction at the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he 
gmduated the following year, receiving his diploma 
and being admitted to practice. 

Dr. Weismann was married, in 1854, to Miss Bina 
Stuckert, a native <)f Baden, and daughter of the 
Rev. George Stuckert. They have become the 
parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, 
viz., Adolphe, Bina, Charles, George, May, Ida, An- 
nie and Edwin. Adolphe married Miss Christine 
Mittenmeir, and they have three children — Albert, 
Oscar and Frank, the latter twins; Bina became the 
wife of Edwin Townsend, and they have one child 
— Ralph; Charles married Miss Kate Hubinger, and 
they have two children — Arthur and Charles; 
George married Miss Kate Schott; May became 
the wife of A. Noeleke, and Id.i married William 
H. Grupe. 

Dr. AVeismanu is a Republican in politics, and so- 
cially belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Druids and 
the Knights of Honor. He is also a member of the 
Keokuk ^Medical Society. He has great taste for 



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LEE COUNTY. 



music, and belongs to the Concordia Singing So- 
ciety. The IJoctor has been President of the 
Board of Health, and takes a generous interest in 
everything that pertains to the welfare of this vicin- 
ity. As a iirofessional man lie is greatly respected 
by the fraternity, and as a citizen commands an 
cnvial)le position. 



COL. WILLIAM PATTERSON. Among the 
citizens of Keokuk who have attained pronii- 
^^ nence through their course of action in the 
past, both as citizens, soldiers, business men and 
agriculturists, and who are enabled to pass the sun- 
set of life in peace and quiet, retired from active 
labor and in the enjoyment of a handsome compe- 
tency obtained by honest endeavor, we take [jleas- 
ure in presenting a few facts connected with the 
life of the gentleman whose name heads this bio- 
graphical notice. 

Col. Patterson is a native of Wythe County, 
Xa., and was born March 9, 1802. His parents 
were Joseph and Jane (Walker) Patterson, natives 
of Virginia. The father was born in Rockbridge 
County, that State, in .1767, and was brought up 
t)n a farm. His father, our subject's grandfather, 
was born in Bonnie Scotland, and on attaining to 
the age of maturit}' emigrated to the United States, 
and settled on a farm in Virginia, where he contin- 
ued to live, working at his vocation, during the re- 
maining years of his life. He had a familj^ of five 
children, and Joseph Patterson when lie attained 
the age of manhood received a small piece of land 
on which he located, lived and labored until l.SOO. 
He then sold his pl.ace for £2,2(1(1 and. moving to 
Adair County, Ky., purchased a large improved 
farm, aud there lived until 1829. During that 
year he, in company with his son William, our sub- 
ject, went to Marion Comity, Mo., near Hannibal 
and Palmyra, and there our subject's father con- 
tinued to live until his removal to Keokuk, where 
he died in 1 .s.')0, at the residence of our subject. 
The mother passed to the home beyond while a 
resident of Kentucky, in 1810. The parental fam- 
ily consisted of eleven children, William being the 
eighth in order of birth. 

When William Patterson was about four years 




of age his father, as stated, moved to Kentucky, { 
and it was there that William was brought up and [ 
received the advantages of a common-school educa- '^• 
tion. In 1822 he was united in marriage with Miss 




Eleanor Johnson, a native of Maryland. From that rr 
date until 1829 he took charge of his father's farm 
in Kentuck}', which he conducted with more than 
ordinary success. It was during the year 1829 
that he, in company with his wife and four chil- 
dren, moved to Marion County, Mo. After a resi- 
<lenee there of three 3'ears he settled on a farm which 
he had ])urchased in Sangamon County, 111. There he 
continued to reside until 1837, when he came to 
Iowa, and located at West Point, this count}'. 
There he and two brothers-in-law i)urchased the 
town site of West Point, all 
farms adjoining the town site. 

improved the site, and our subject remained a resi- 
dent there until 1840, when he disposed of the ma- 
jor portion of his interests in that localitv and 
moved to Keokuk. "DT S 

On taking up his residence in Keokuk, Col. Pat- Ji_3. 
terson engaged in pork cutting and packing and 
also in merchandising. The latter business he con- 
tinued for a number of years, when he withdrew 



three locating on [ r^^T , 
They sold lots and ^ ;y 

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from it, but kept on the pork-packing enterprise i hj 

until 1882. He was the first one to engage in that ' ^ 

business at Keokuk, and for over thirty years there 
has never been a 3'ear that he has not packed from 
5,000 to 30,000 hogs. He gives employment to as 
high as seventy-five men. and the result of his 
steady perseverance and good management is seen 
in the large and lucrative business which he has 
built up, which not only affords him and his part- 
ner a handsome income, but adds an important in- 
terest to the trade of the city. He built an exten- 
sive packing- house at the end of Fourth street in 
1853. 

In 1850 Col. Patterson purchased what is now 
known as the Patterson House, and also built the 
stone house on the levee, which is now the Wabash 
Railroad depot. He was the first instigator of 
building a Presbyterian Church, and contributed 
*o,000 for the erection of the same. He has also 
subscribed liberally toward all the roads, and proba- 
bly has done more than any other one man to de- 
velop the city of Keokuk, He was President of 








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•106 



LEE COUNTY. 



the Northwestern Raih-oad running from Keokuk 
to Mt. Pleasant, and has been three times elected 
Mayor of Keokuk, first in I860, then in 1805 and 

. again in 1866. lie was also Alderman for three 

RKi years in that city. In 1838 he was elected a nieni- 

^n] ber of the first Legislature of the Territorj- of Iowa, 

HHI and has been several times elected to the Upper 

iK and Lower House of that body. He was a member 

of the Constitutional Convention which convened 

in Iowa City in 18.')7, and has been Postmaster of 

Keokuk seven years, holding that office under 

Pierce and Buchanan's administrations. 

In the church of his adoption Col. Patterson has 
been a leading member for fifty-eight years. He 
was the first Elder of the Old-School Prcsl)3'terian 
Church, which was the first in Iowa, having been 
organized in 1837, having been chosen to that of- 
fice while a resident of West Point, in 1837. He 
was one of the chief movers and most liberal do- 

nors to the erection of Westminster Church in this 

city, which is one of the most beautiful church edi- 

fices in the State. 

In 1839, a controversy having arisen between 
the citizens of Clark County. JMo., in regard to the 
extension of the northern boundary of that State, 
the people of Iowa resisted the claim, and deter- 
mined that the boundary line should follow the 
J)cs Moines River to its mouth. The Sheriff of 
Clark Count}-, in undertaking to serve legal pro- 
cesses for the collection of taxes over this Terri- 

lory, was arrested by the Sheriff of \'an Ruren 

County, liiis State, and lodged in jail. Thu con- 
test grew so hot that war butween the contending 
parties seemed imminent, and Col. Patterson was 
commissioned Colonel of Militia by Gov. Lucas, of 
Iowa, and authorized to raise a regiment of troops. 
In accordance with the Governor's ordinance '"Gen- 
jjj DT eral Order No 1," the company was raised and 
jl ,H|„ ordered forward, but the matter was amicably ar- 
ranged without the shedding of blood, and the 
boundary line established in accoidance with the 
«3 claim of Iowa. It is not saying too much, but is 
simply stating plain facts, when we assert in this 
n. jX^ iq notice that the settlement of the difficulty referred 

1} to was duo in a great measure to the inlkience and 
} energetic action of Col. Patterson. 
^ 'I'he wife of our subject was a daughter of Will- 





iam and Ann Johnson, natives of Maryland, and- 
bore her husband eleven children, eight of whom 
are yet living: Mary A., Mrs. Creel, of Keokuk, is a 
widow, her husband d^'ing in 1882; she is the 
mother of six children — Mary E., Abbie, Edwin E., 
Joseph P., Margaret and John; Louisa became Mrs. 
JIarshall, and has borne her husband six children — 
Robert M., William P., Albert T., Chapiu II., 
M.aude M. and Saburt T. ; William A. is a resident 
of Keokuk ; he is married, and has three children — 
Mar}', William A. and Lizzie S. ; Joseph C. and Sa- 
biu't are both living in Keokuk: Margaret E., now 
Mrs. Starkweather, of Keokuk, has four children — 
Essie, Eleanor, Samuel D. and Kate S. ; M. Eleanor 
and Thomas B. are both single and residing at 
home. The good wife and mother departed this 
life April 2, 1880, on the fift3'-eighth anniversary 
of their wedding, mourned by a host of relatives 
and friends. On the fiftieth anniversary of their 
marriage Col. Patterson and wife telcbrated their 
golden wedding with a large number of friends, 
five of whom were present on the occasion lift}' 
years before. Two great-gi-andchildren also par- 
ticipated in the festivities. Col. Patterson is one 
of the most prominent, as well as influential and 
st)lid men C)f Keokuk and, as stated, has (b ne much 
toward its advancement, as well as for the prosper- 
ity of the country surrounding it. 



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1'J SAAC DICKINS, deceased, was one of the 
most enterprising farmers of Marion Township, 
J and b}' his industry' and economy secured for 
himself and family a comfortable home, with a 
generous share of the good things of life. After 
building up a worthy record as a citizen, neighbor 
and friend, he departed from the scene of his earthly 
labors at his home, in Marion Township, in May, 
1 886, having arrived at the advanced age of seventy- 
two years. 

The subject of this brief history' was born in 
England, Jan. 14, 181-1. He received his educa- 
tion in the common schools, and was reared to 
farming pursuits. After arriving at years of man- 
hood in his native countr>', he was married and 
set out for the New \\\>rhl, arriving in New York 



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LEE COUNTY. 






.City ill 1852. He became a resident of this county 
the same year, and located on a farm in Marion 
Township, which he had purchased and which con- 
sisted of U)4 acres. Upon this he built a good 
briclv dwelling, and in 1867 was married to his 
second wife, wiio was Miss Lockey Darby, a native 
(if Ohio, and descended from an excellent family. 
She came with her parents to Lee Count}' when a 
maiden of sixteen years. By her marriage with 
our subject she became the mother of five children, 
three boys and two girls, viz.: Hannah B., William 
L., Isaac N., Charles B. and Daisy L. 

Mr. Dickins was uniformly prosperous in his 
agricultural pursuits, and an excellent financier. 
At his death he left a fine estate to his widow 
and children. Upon the farm is a fine residence, 
with good barns and out-bnildiugs, and it is well 
stocked with sheep, horses, cattle and hogs. He 
commenced life at the foot of the ladder, and 
made his way solely by the excercise of his own 
industry and resolution. He was a kind husband 
and father, a generous neighbor, and in all respects 
fulfilled the obligations of a good citizen. He 
was brought up in the Church of England, and 
throughout his life kept in view the principles in 
which he had been trained by excellent parents. 
His name is held in kindlj' remembrance by all 
who knew him. Mrs. Dickins is a lady of excellent 
judgment and worthy character, and since the 
death of her husliaud has managed the farm in 
a capable manner, with the assistance of her two 
boys. 



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ETER KELLEY, a prosperous and enter- 
prising farmer of Cedar Township, is 
T pleasantly located on section 35. He is 
a gentleman who has risen by his own ex- 
ertions to his present position. He began life a 
poor boy at the foot of the ladder, but possessed 
a rich fund of determination and perseverance, 
and progressed slowly but surel}', and is novy in 
the enjoyment of a large share of the good things 
of this life. 

Mr. Kelley comes from good old hish ancestiy, 
and possesses in a marked degree the generous and 




warm-hearted disposition of the Celtic race. He 
was born in Comity Louth, Ireland, in July, 1824, 
and is the son <if Bernard and Mary (Kennon) 
Kelley, who spent their entire lives in their native 
Ireland, and are both now deceased. Bernard 
Kellej' was a farmer by occupation, and the record 
of the parental household is as follows : Two 
brothers, Bernard and Patrick, came to America, 
enlisted as soldiers, and yielded up their lives in 
the service of the Union. Bernard w.as killed at 
Murfreesboro, on the first day of the memorable 
battle at that place. Patrick was in the South 
during the war, and it is supposed that he was 
killed in the army. A sister, Ann, came to America, 
and settled in Edina, Knox Co., Mo., as the wife of 
Peter Connell. 

The subject of our sketch grew to manhood in 
his native country, and lived with his parents until 
he was twenty-one years old. On the 1st of Janu- 
ary, 1850, he set sail from Liverpool for the United 
States, and after a long and tedious voyage, landed 
in New Orleans upon the 9th of the following 
]\Iarch. From the Crescent City he proceeded to 
Ohio, having friends in Xenia, Greene County. At 
the end of his journey he found himself possessed 
of a half-crown, or sixty-two and one-half cents. 
His friends, however, secured employment for him, 
and his first work in America was as a repair hand 
on a section of the Cincinnati & Columbus Rail- 
road. He was thus engaged for nearlj' three years. 
He had saved his earnings in the meantime, and had 
sent money to the old country so that his two 
brothers and sisters could come over to America. 
In 1853 he resolved to seek his fortunes in the 
country beyond the Mississippi. He accordingly 
started westward, and coming into the Hawkeye 
State, engaged as a farm laborer in Lee County. 
He worked in this capacity for the following nine 
years, and then found himself possessed of sutHcient 
means to purchase forty acres of land, which now 
constitutes a part of his present homestead. His 
first purchase was neither fenced nor supplied with 
any building, and one of his first duties was the 
erection of a small house, into which he moved his 
family, and then commenced the improvement and 
cultivation of his land. He prospered in his labors, 
and added to his first purchase as time progressed. 




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He is now the possessor of 185 acres, finely culti- 
vated, and has a good set of frame Ijiiildings. 

Mr. Kellcy waj* married in 18.'>S, to Miss Margaret 
Deviue, a native of C'onnty ICerry. Ireland. Their 
union has Ijcen lile.st by the birth of seven children, 
of whom the record is as follows: Bernard is a 
student in Hahnemann Medical College of Cliicago; 
Mary is a teacher in the public schools; John is 
clerl<ing for a general merchant at Pilot (hove, this 
county; ilaggie, the wife of Henry Meierotto, 
lives at Pilot Grove; James, Sarah E. and Willie 
are at home. 

The parents of Mrs. K. were natives of County 
Kerry, Ireland, and her mother came to America 
ill 1871 or 1872, locating at Burlington. The 
father died in Ireland. JMrs. K. is the seventh 
daughter of a family of seven children, all girls. 
Jlr. Kelley is a self-made and self-educated man, 
and an extensive reader. He keeps himself well 
posted on current events, and as a conversational- 
ist is verj' interesting. 



^RANCIS SEMPLE, deceased, formerly a 

Phighlj' respected resident of Lee County, 
was born near the " Blue Juniata " in Mif- 
flin Count}', Pa., twelve miles from Lewistown, the 
ctmnty seat, in 1807, and is of' Scotch-Irish parent- 
age and ancestry. His progenitors emigrated from 
their native country to the United States at an 
early day, and the subject of our sketch was one of 
a family of six children l)orn to his parents, and 
even in his early years, having been a witness of 
the evils of spirituous liquors, learned to be a I'ro- 
hibitionisl, and expressed his views upon every oc- 
casion, and sought to cast the whole weight of his 
q R influence in opposition to the beverage which '-makes 
"-''*^ men mad." In early youth he learned the trade 
of a stonemason and bricklayer, and having a 
brother who had devoted himself tv the profession 
of law, he availed him.self of the advantages offered 
„ ^^ , liy the perusal of books treating of the profession, 
^■iii'^n '*■"'' after the space of eighteen months had gained 
^^^ I a good insight into its intricacies, and in the politi- 
l| cal excitement which (X'curred about that period, 
<1elivered his maiden speech, which w.as received 





with great admiration and at once made him pop- 
ular. 

The winter following, the lirother mentioned was 
made Collector of Tolls on the Pennsylvania Canal, 
at Lewistown, and in the following summer bids for 
an important caaial contract were let to Semple, 
W.agoner <fe Co., the first mentioned party lieing the 
subject of our sketch. The contract was accepted, 
the move affecting the whole after life of our sub- 
ject. He went to Bradfonl County, Pa., in the fall 
of 1836, and remained there the following nine 
years, spending the best i)art of his life and losing 
a large amount of money, in connection with can;il 
contracts. 

Mr. Sehiple came to the Territory of Iowa in 
September, 184.'). and made his first settlement 
near what is now Franklin Station, on the C, B. it 
K. C. R. R., having half a dollar and a five-franc 
piece after reaching here. When passing through 
Keokuk lie iiad taken occasion to ascertain the 
number of lawyers in that vicinit}-, and found there 
were about twent^'-eight, being nearly three times 
as many as could be comfortably supported. He 
then resolved to abandon the profession of law, 
and soon afterward resumed his trade as builder. 
He had been accompanied on this trip l)y iiis fam- 
ily and his aged mothe/, whose remains now lie in 
the burying-ground near the old Everhart Farm. 
B}- slow degrees he succeeded in establishing a 
comfortable lioine. and it becoming known by the 
array of books which were placed upon the shelves 
of his study, that he had given much attention to 
the legal profession, he was often called upon to 
settle matters of dispute, and to transact other legal 
business, which he accomplished with credit to him- 
self and satisf.action to all concerned. In due time 
he invested in land and made additional purchases 
fr(jm time to time, and at his death, which occurred 
in .July, 1875, left a comfortalile farm homestead, 
which is under cultivation andcpiite valuable. F. H. 
Semple, the son of our subject, was born at the head 
of the " Ulster Meadows, " opposite Sheshecpiin, in 
Bradford County, Pa., on the west bank of the 
Susquehanna River. He came to Iowa with his 
father when a 3'oiing lad, is now married, and has 
four living children : Eliza, Mrs. Paxton, died in 
Nebraska in June, 188.'); two sons entered the 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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army in 1862. F. H. retunietl unharmed at the 
close of thi' conflict, but the remains of William 
II. lie in the Soldier's Cemetery at St. Louis, he 
having died at of acute pneumonia at St. Louis, on 
the 1 -tth of .Tannar)-. 1863. Alexander was killed 
in Pennsylvania by juni|)ing friim tlie ears while in 
motion. 

An old experienced lawyer of Lee County, who 
knew the deceased in his lifetime intimately and 
well, and who practiced at the bar thirty years or 
more with hini, gives this testimony concerning 
him: "I regarded him as the soid of honor in all 
law and business affairs. He was not as well read 
in the law as some others I have met at the bar, but 
I question if I ever met in Iowa one lawyer who 
possessed more natural gifts of oratory. In jury 
trials he was a power that all lawyers feared. Nat- 
urally of a Ijenevolent and S3'mpathetic turn of 
mind, he took an active part in the ' half-breed ' 
troubles of Lee County, in behalf of the former 
settlers, and in the long legal struggle of Lee 
County against the railroad bond taxation, he was 
the leading lawyer of the State in defending 
against them. He was also a bold advocate of 
all moral reforms, and frequentlj' advocated tem- 
perance and anti-slavery doctrines, when but few 
yet sympathized with him in his views. An ar- 
dent Republican, he was twice nominated by the 
Republicans of Lee County for public positions; 
first for Count}' Judge and next for the Legisla- 
ture, but his party being in a hopeless minoritj' in 
the county he failed of election, though he received 
an honorable vote each time. Taken all in all he 
was a very good and noble-hearted man." 

NDREW WYLLIE, a leading citizen and 
successful farmer of Lee County, is pleas- 
antlj' situated on section 3, Des Moines 
Township, where he has resided for the 
last eight years, and carried on the i)ursuit of farm- 
ing in a successful manner. Mr. AVyllie is a native 
of " bonnie Scotland," and was born April 22, 
1840. He comes of good Scottish ancestry, his 
father before iiim being a native of tiie same coun- 
try, and was there married in early manhood to 





Jane Lowrey, also a native of Scotland. They be- 
came the parents of four children, two sons and 
two daughters, of whom the sulijcct of our sketch 
is the un\y one living. The mother and two of 
the children departed this life in their native land, 
the father, with the remaining two, Andrew and his H 
sister, Jennette, coming to the United States in 
1845. They at once proceeded to Iowa, and lo- 
cated on an unimproved tract of land in Des 
Moines Township. The settlers' title proved to be 
of no account, and the land at one time was lost to 
the famil_v, being a part of the "half-breed tract." 
The father, however, remained upon it until his 
death, in 1840. 

After the death of his father, the subject of our 
sketch made his home with his uncle until twenty- 
one years of age, they having still retained posses- 
sion of the tract of land upon which the father first 
settled. At that time young Andrew set out on 
his own account. No legacy had been bequeathed 
him, and he had nothing but his honest hands and 
his resolute character ^vith which to begin the bat- 
tle of life. These qualities served him abundantl}-. 
however. He prospered in his undertaking, saved 
his mone}', and in 1878 was enabled to purchase 
and obtain a clear title to the land upon which his 
father had first located and which he has since oc- 
cupied. He has made gieat improvements in its 
condition, and his landed possessions now comj)rise 
390 acres, he having obtained additional acres as 
his means justified, ills land is now divided into 
two lots on different sections, all well improved 
and under a good state of cultivation. 

The marriage of Mr. Wyllie and Miss Fannie 
Ogle was celebrated in 1K6.5, in Jackson Township. 
Mrs. AVyllie is a native of this township, born in 
December, 1844. Her parents settled in Missouri 
when she was onlj' a child, and she was there reared 
to womanhood. Her father was a \'irginian. and a 
carpenter by trade, but in later 3-ears devoted his 
attention chiefly to farming. The maiden name of 
iier mother was Elizabeth Oreen, a native of Ten- 
nessee, of Southern parentage. She became a resi- 
dent of Missouri before her marriage. Her parents 
were among the early settlers of Lee County. Her 
father died in 1)S77; the mother still survives, and 
makes her home witii her daughter, Mrs. Mahala 




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LEE COUNTY. 



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Scoveru, of Des Moines Township. Of the union 
of Mr. and Jlrs. Wyllie have been born eight ehil- 
flren, six daiigiiters and two sons, of whom one son 
and four daugiiters are now deceased, namely, 
.lames, Addie, Arrabana, Mamie and an infant un- 
named. Tiic living are Fanny, Albert and Pearl. 

The family are highly respected in this county, 
and Mr. Wyllie is considered one of the valuable 
business men of the community. He has been 
greatly prospered in both his agricultural and stock- 
breeding operations, and has accumulated a com- 
petency. He is Republican in politics, and in all 
respects is fulfilling the duties of a good citizen. 

A view of Mr. Wyllie's fine farm residence and 
surriiundiugs, together with his stock, is shown in 
comiection with this sketch. 



-€-*-? 



AMES BULLAIU), Si;., of Jefferson Town- 
ship, is the possessor of a beautiful home- 
stead, which is very finely located on sec- 

tion 1. His farm comprises 300 acres of 

H Rj highly cultivated land, and is stocked with high- 
rM=i] grade cattle and horses, the breeding of which he 
jjIliji makes a specialty. Of the latter he has fine speci- 
ijllijn mens of the Morgan and Norman stock, which 
jj j-; I p include two magniticant stallions, '• Louis Oscar " 
mm =1'"^ ■■''• I'uke, Jr." and are from the best breeds of 
these' crosses, the former being the only registered 
animal of this description in the United States. 
With these Mr. B. has carried off nearly all of the 
(irst prizes at the various fairs in this section where 
the^' have been exhibited. His tine licrd of cattle 
includes two thoroughbred Sluirt-liorus of great 
beauty and value. 
Ii The homestead of our subject lies on the tust 

-^— bottomsof the Mississippi, and is admirably ad.'ipted 
to the raising of all kinds of cereals and vegetables. 
It is all under good cultivation txcept a few acres 
of pasture and timber. Its proprietor has been one 
of the most progressive citizens of the county, and 
^■tii^'n '^'* example of enterprise and industry has been a 
stimulant for many of his neigliliors to push ahead 
and contribute, in a like manner, to the develop- 
luciil of the .igi k-ultMr:il interests (.>t' tlieii' coMnty. 




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Mr. Bullard is a native of Jacksonville, Morgan 
Co., 111., and was born May 2'2, 182.T. His father. 
Theophilus Bullard, came from Virginia parentage, 
and traced his ancestry back to families of England, 
Ireland and Germany, who combined to produce a 
race with many admirable traits of character. After 
arriving at j'ears of manhood, he went to Nashville, 
Tenn., and was there married to Miss Lucy Arm- 
strong, a ladj' of Mrginia birth and parent.age. 
His grandfathers, on both sides of the house, were 
soldiers in the War of 1812, and were named 
James Bullard and Thomas Armstrong, .lames 
Bullard was a farmer by occupation, and after the 
close of the war came West to Illinois, and located 
in Brown County, where his life terminated. 
Thomas Armstrong was a master mechanic, and 
was prominently known as a man of unusual skill 
in his calling, and erected many important iron 
furnaces and forges near the place of his residence 
in Tennessee. 

Theophilus Bullard, after his marriage, engaged 
at his trade as a millwright, in which he had become 
proficient under the instruction of Benjamin Hen- 
son, of Grayson County, \'a. After the birth of 
their first child, a daughter, Jane, they went to 
Morgan County, 111., where he built his first grist- 
mill on the Morvestar Creek, which is supposed to 
be one of the first mills in the State of Illinois; tlii> 
was in 1824. It was there our subject was born 
and reared, and his father became a volunteer in 
tiie Blackhawk War, and served as a soldier during 
the Indian troubles. After being discharged from 
the army he left Illinois with his family, crossed 
the Mississippi, and came to Hurlington, Iowa, arriv- 
ing March 12, 1834. He soon began the acquisi- 
tion of land in the Blackhawk Purchase, and soon 
became the possessor of five farms in that locality. 
He was a man of nioie than ordinary ability and 
intelligence, and assisted in the first local survey 
of this part of the county. He was the first Justice 
of the Peace in this section, while Iowa was yet a 
Territory, and held the office for twenty-five years. 
He was always interested in ever3thing pertaining 
to the welfare and development of his adopted 
county, and was a leader in every worthy enter- 
prise. He assisted in the organization of .lefterson 
Townsiiip, anil his coMinuiiiity involuntarily lookcil 



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LEE COUNTY. 



to him at the inauguration of every enterprise 
tending to its development and prosperity. 

Theophilus Bullard was born March 13, 1798. 
His parents both died on the old homestead in 
Brown County, 111., where they settled in 1833. 
Theophilus B. settled in Madison Township in 1836. 
The mother survived this removal nine years, her 
decease occuring in 1845. The parents were most 
excellent and W()rtli3' people, and carefully trained 
their children to habits of industry and economy. 
Their son, our subject, was the second child of the 
family, and was reared and educated, remaining at 
home until his marriage. This interesting event 
occurred in Jefferson Township, the maiden of his 
choice being Miss Sarah A. Wallace, a native of 
Northumberland County, Pa., who was born June 
1, 1834. She came with her parents to Iowa when 
a young lady, and remained with them until her 
marriage to Air. Bullard. Of this union there were 
born seven children, two only of whom are living, 
a son, Robert Rolla, a promising young man, suc- 
cessfully engaged in farming, and Eugene G., who 
assists in the management of the homestead. 
Theophilus died at the age of twenty-one years; 
Frances died when live years of age, and Joseph 
when one year old; two infants died unnamed. 
These children were stricken down by measles and 
scarlet fever, and their loss was a terrible blow to 
the bereaved parents. 

Mrs. Sarah A. Bullard departed this life June 
25, 1884, at the home of her husband. She was a 
lady greatly beloved and respected by all who knew 
her, for her intelligence and charming social traits, 
and was a member in good standing of the Baptist 
Church, with which the remaining members of her 
family are connected. Politically Mr. Bullard is a 
reliable Democrat, and uniformly casts his vote in 
snpport of the principles of his party. 

|p55) DWARD A. GIBBS is one of the honored 
jW] pioneers of the Hawkeye State, coming 
ji' — ^ witliin its boundaries while it was yet a Ter- 
ritory. He came here in the year 1839, and located 
in Ft. Madison, which has been his home now for a 
! period of forty-seven j^ears. His journey was 




made from the far East, he having been born in 
Connecticut in 1811, and he started out when a 
j'onng man for the western wilds. 

The father of our subject, Ashley Gibbs, was 
also a native of Connecticut, born in New London, r 
and the grandfather, Herman Gibbs, was a nativeti 
of the same State, but his birthplace was in Groton. 
He there married Miss Elizabeth A. Stoddard, and 
spent the remainder of his da3's in that section. 
His son, Ashley Gibbs, the father of Edward A., 
was a ship-builder by trade, and also a sailor liy 
occupation. He loved the sea, and early in life 
was promoted Captain of a merchant vessel, of 
which he eventually became part owner. In 181 G 
he abandoned the sea and determined to settle 
down finally upon terra firma, but not in his native 
State. He wished to see something more of the 
world, and accordingly emigrated to Ohio, where 
he located in Jackson County and worked as car- 
penter and joiner. 

The first year of his labor in the latter- named 
State, Ashley Gibbs erected the first jail in Ross 
County, which was located at Chillicothe. It was 
built of large square hewn timber, placed on end, 
and supported by heavy iron bars crossways, and 
proved an effectual means against the escape of 
culprits of all kinds. In 1823 the elder Gibbs 
removed to Gallipolis, and remained there about 
six or seven years. Thence he went to Chester, 
Meigs Countj', and was employed as contractor 
and builder for some years. There are still many 
buildings in existence whicli were erected by him 
and stand as monuments to his skill and handiwork. 
He finally returned to Gallipolis, removing from 
there to Miller's Bottom, on the Ohio River below 
Gallipolis, where his last days were spent, and 
his remains were finally laid to rest. The maiden 
name of the mother of our subject w.as Parnell 
Roberts. She was a n.ative of the same State .ind 
eountj' as her husband, and was well fitted to 
become the helpmate of a good man. She remained 
faithful to him througii all his wanderings, and 
departed this life in 1870 or 1871. 

Edward A. Gibbs was but a boy of six or seven 
years when his parents removed from Connecticut 
to Ohio. They were early pioneers of the Buckeye 
State, and endured all tlie vicissitudes of settlers in 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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a new country. Free f^eliools were tln'U unknown, 
l)Ut a suliscriplion school vvas here and there estah- 
lisheil for six months in the year, and during the 
days of his boyiiood our subject availed himself 
of the instruction thus given, until he was about 
nineteen years of age. When his parents removed 
to Meigs County, he engaged as clerk in a general 
store at Chester, where he remained for six years. 
lie then went to Athens County, Ohio, and was 
engaged in a similar manner in the store of Col. 
William Stewart, and also occupied himself in gain- 
iiii; the affections of the daughter of his employer, 
who afterward became his wife, lie remained 
there also six years, and then associated himself in 
partnership in the same business for two or three 
years at Coolville, Athens Co.. Ohio, and was thus 
occupied until 1839, when he resolved to go fur- 
ther West, and started for Iowa, via the Ohio and 
Mississippi Rivers to Keokuk, thence on foot to 
.Montrose, and from there procured a ride to Ft. 
.Madison, arriving at that place in October, 1839. 
^^1 lie was greatly pleased with the appearance of the 
countrv, although it was still unsettled, and located 
a claim in Pleasant Ridge Township, Lee County. 
The only improvement upon his land was a claim 
l)ole cabin, fourteen feet square, but hardly fit for 
habitation. His wife had accompanied him upon 
his travels and there they spent the winter. In the 
spring Mr. Gibbs erected a substantial and com- 
modious hewed log house, which vvas considered 
(piite an inii)osing structure at that da^', and was 
liiiished off quite handsomely', being chinked and 
daubed with mud. He then commenced the im- 
provement of his land in earnest, and was engaged 
in agricultural pursuits for the following ten years. 
At the end of this time, wishing for a change of 
occupation, Mr. Oibbs disp<jsed of his landed inter- 
ests, and removing to West Point, this county, en- 
gaged at his old business of clerking until the 
election of President Filiuore, when he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster of the village. He afterward 
became iissociated in partnership with his brother- 
j in-law and w.as occupied in mercantile pursuits 
■~ until l«.i(;. He tlien disposed of his interest to his 
brother-in-law, and going to the mouth of the Chip- 
pewa River, in Minnesota, look chai'ge of the gen- 
eral merchandise establislmicul uf Kua]>p, Stout it 



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Co., which [losition he liciil for two years, and 
thence went to IJubnciue, Iowa, and was employed 
in their lumber-yard. In UsCc; he cMme to Ft. 
Madison, and purchased a lumber-yard for hlMi-cif. 
which had been established here for about two 
3'ears. In this undertaking he was joined by .bihn 5, 
H. Knapp, and the two together operated the busi- 
ness until 1884, when Mr. Oibbs purchased the 
interest of his partner, and since that time has been 
running the business alone. 

The marriage of Mr. Edward A. (;ibl)s and Miss 
Emeline Stewart was celebrated in Ohio in 1837. 
Mrs. Gibbs was born in Ohio. Feb. 14, 1X17. Her 
father. Col. William Stewart, was also a native of 
Ohio, and her grandfather, Uaniel Stewart, was 
boi-n in New Jersey, and emigrated to the Buckeye jt 
State at a very early date in its history. William 
Steward was a soldier in the War of 1(^12, and was 
commissioned Colonel. He was reared upon- a 
farm, but in middle life changed his occupation to 
that of a contractor and builder, in connection 
with farming, in which he was remarkably skillful J ■{ 
and successful, and superintended the erection of a ' ^ 
few buildings in that section of the country, among 
them being the University at Athens, Ohio. Still jilji 
later he engaged in merchandising and milling, and ; ij 
in the spring of 1839 crossed the Mississippi and s^fl 
entered land in Lee County, Iowa. Here he also ?'^ 
engaged in mercantile pursuits until his retirement 
from active business. His last days were passed 
at the home of his son-in-law, our subject, and he 
departed this life April 1, 1882, at the ripe old age 
of ninety-two years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. (iibbs became the i)ar- 
ents of five children, the record of whom is as fol- 
lows: William A. is a resident of Chicago, 111.; 
Mary L. became the wife of ^\■illiam II. Bonnell, 

h': u 

and died in August, 188(j; Charles became a soldier ;a 

during the late Civil AVar, enlisting June 19. 18(i2. E-" 

in the 19tli Iowa Infantry, and nas wH)unded at the 5 (ij 

battle of Prairie Grove, from the eft'ects of which 2 A.' 

he died Jan. 7, 1863; his remains were brought ;;" 

home and deposited in Ft. Madison Cemetery ; S 

Julia S. is the wife of Robert E. Smith, and lives a 

at Ft. Madison; Lewis II. .nnd Edward A. are :it ^ 

home. z-^, 

Tlie family .Mre highl3' respected in the conimun- -U 



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an 

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LEE COMNTY. 



415 



ity where they have so long been residents, and 
Mr. Gibbs has contributed greatly to the jn-ogress 
and welfare of his county and township. He is 
liberal minded and generous, and has alwa^'s taken 
a great interest in the training of the young, labor- 
ing faithfully in tlie Sunday-school of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, of which he and his amiable 
lady have long been members in good standing. 
He is a man of strong convictions, and conscien- 
tiously casts his vote with the Republican party. He 
has been the encourager and promoter of every 
good work and purpose, and when he shall have 
been gathered to his fathers it will be difficult to fill 
his place. This, in a world of good and generous 
men, is much to say, but Mr. Gibbs is fullj' entitled 
to whatever can be said of the honest man and 
good citizen. 



=^^^^-<m>-is>^ 



H 



^OHN A. SARGENT, a general farmer and 
stock-raiser, is successfully operating his 
fine farm in Des Moines Township, which is 
located on section 32. He is the seventh of 
a family of thirteen children, wliose parents were 
Nicholas and Merriam (Sawyer) Sargent. (See 
sketch of H. C. Sargent, Sr., for parental history). 
The following interesting bit of family history we 
take from an issue of the Salisbury (Mass.) 17/- 
Inger (1870): "Wednesday night the Riverside 
Lodge of this village made public their installation 
of officers in Sargent Hall, after which friends and 
invited guests partook of a bountiful supper. The 
Sargents are a numerous family in this town, and 
are large owners of real and personal estate. Will- 
iam Sargent, one of the twelve men who settled in 
Ipswich, in 1633, -subsequently went to Newbury, 
and thence to Amesburj' in 1G43, where he died in 
about 1675, aged seventy-three. He was the 
founder of the family name m this town. It has 
been the custom to have a quiet family reunion 
each year. On the 15th a dinner party was given 
at the residence of John 1'. Sargent, where were as- 
assembled twelve persons, whose united ages 
amounted to 853 years, an average of upward of 
seventy-one years. The occasion was a reunion 
of the children of Christopher Sargent, who died 
is many years ago. Thej' were as follows: Nicholas, 



aged 80; C3^rus, 78; .John P., 66; Benjamin F'., 
74, jind their sister, Mrs. Jane Stickney, 74. 
Stei)hen, another brother, died in Utah last year at 
the age of sixty-eight, the only death in the circle 
of children for more than fifty years. Nicholas is 
a resident of Iowa, all the rest residing here in 
Merrimac. There were also present Merriam, wife 
of Nicholas, aged 80; Hanna M., wife of Cyrus, 63; 
Caroline P., wife of John P., 57; Jnlia, wife of 
Benjamin F., 54; Patten Sargent of Merrimacport, 
a cousin, 83 ; Mrs. Anna Whittier, an aunt, 80, and 
Mrs. Hannah P. Sargent, also an aunt, 75. 

"Mr. Nicholas Sargent, above mentioned, came 
into possession of some land in Millsfield, Coos Co., 
N. H., and there he took up his residence when a 
young man. In 1836 he was attacked with tlie 
' Western fever,' and procuring four horses and 
suitable carriages, he started for the West, taking 
with him his wife and twelve children. They were 
five months reaching Missouri, having been de- 
tained two months in Illinois by sickness. After 
his departure for the West twenty years elapsed be- 
fore any of the relatives he had left behind heard 
anything from or of him. One evening, about twenty 
years ago, a man ai)plied at the house of Mrs. Jane 
Stickney for lotlging for the night. She told him 
she did not take in strangers to lodge, but he 
pressed his request with great earnestness, until she 
finally told him she could not and would not take 
him in. ' Well,' said he, ' that settles the matter ; 
but I should scarcely have thought j^ou would have 
refused a night's lodging to your own brother.' 
' My own brother ! ' exclaimed the good lady ; 
'what, Nicholas.'' And sure enough Nicholas it 
was. It ajipeared that he met with financial re- 
verses in Missouri, and after a few years' residence 
there he went to Iowa, where he purchased land in 
Lee County, ten miles from Keokuk, and from that 
time prospered, securing a competency before he 
got ready to advise his relatives of his wiiere- 
ab<nits and circumstances. He and his five sons 
have 1,700 acres of land, 1,000 of it being the rich 
'bottom ' along the Des Moines River. They raise 
annually from 8,000 to 10,000 bushels of corn, and 
large quantities of hay, all of which they feed out, 
frequently buying more, their business being rais- 
ing, buying and selling neat stock and swine. 





^rxlIHInxullmn_m^^TXi^i 



416 



LEE COUNTY. 



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•■ Mr. .-iikI Mrs. .Sai'i^cnt arc liotli hale and vigor- 
ous, and slio, not witlistanding her ciylily years, still 
plies her kiiiltinj>- needles as hnsily as ever. They 
made the juurney hero four weeks aj^o, being- a lit- 
tle over two da^'s and nights on the road; the trij), 
with sleeping-c.ars, cte., forming a pleasing contrast 
to their wearisome journey of forty 3'ears ago, when 
they sought a home in the (tlien) far West of Mis- 
souri." 

.lohn A. Sargent is a native of New Hampshire, 
bo?n April 21, I,s3l, and was but a child when, in 
l.s.'XI, his parents st;u-ted for the great West. They 
brought with them the whole family, and after 
ci'ossing the Mississippi made their first location in 
Missouri, whence the^' came four 3'ears later to 
Jowa. Here Mr. Sargent grew to manhood, assist- 
ing in the labors of his father's farm and receiving 
a limited education in the pioneer schools. He was 
married, Feb. 2G, 1854, to Miss Ursula Stark- 
weather, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born 
Sept. 14, 1833. Mrs. Sargent is the daughter of 
Leonard and 10m ily (Ilosmer) Starkweather, who 
were natives of New Kngland, and removed to 
Pennsylvania after a short residence in Michigan. 
They came into Lee County in 1846, and settled 
upon a tract of unimproved land consisting of 320 
acres. They endured .all the hardships of the early 
pioneers and shared in their successes, improved 
the farm, cultivated the land, and lived to see smil- 
ing fields where once had been a desolate wilder- 
ness. The faithful wife and mother departed this 
life in Des Moines Township, in January, 1883, at 
the age of seventy-four years. Her husband yet 
survives her; he is seventy-eight years old, and re- 
sides with his daughter, Mrs. Sargent. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sargent loca- 
ted upon a tract of land and engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits. He became possessor of the in-esent 
homestead in 1851). It consists of 280 acres, finely 
cultivated, with a handsome dwelling and conve- 
nient b.arns and outhouses ujion it, a view of which 
is given in this work. In addition to this he has 
forty acres in another part of the township, and 
040 acres in Menard County, Tex., which is con- 
sidered one of the best tracts of land in the Lone 
Star State. He has been very successful in his 
farming operations, and in is.si purchased a store 



in ^'incennes. which is now operated successfullj- 
by his eldest son, H. ('.. .Ir. Mr. and Mrs. Sargent 
have had a family of eight children, of whom tw^o 
arc deceased. They are as follows: Nettie, Hen- 
rietta (deceased). Horace C, John II. (deceased), 
(i. Lincoln, Lebe:iu AV., Lawrence and Earnest K. 
Mr. Sargent has performed in a creditable man- 
ner all the duties and obligations of life. He has 
alwaj's been interested in the welfare of his commu- 
nity, and has held the office of Constable in his 
township. He is Rei)ublican in polities, tirni and 
decided in his opinions, but never an offensive par- 
tisan. He is held in high respect by his neighbors 
and acquaintances, .and fully merits the title of "an 
honest man and a good citizen." Socially he is a 
member of Amber Lodge No. 448, I. O. O. F., of 
Vincennes, Iowa, also of the A. H. T. A., which 
meets at the same place. 

EDWARD WALSMITH, of the firm of Narr- 
ley & AValsmith, of Keokuk, is eng.aged with 
his partner in carrying on a first-class meat- 
market at No. 612 Main street. Mr. AValsmith 
comes of an excellent family of stanch German an- 
cestry, and was born in the Fatherland Aug. 4, 
1840. His father was George AYalsmith, a shoe- 
maker by trade, who emigrated to the United States 
in 1852, and settled in Keokuk. He only lived 
five years after coming to this country, djing in 
1857. He was the father of seven children, only 
three of whom are living: Robert, a resident of 
Keokuk; Anthony, of Des Moines, and Edward, 
the subject of our sketc-h. 

Edward Walsmith remained with his parents and 
attended school until he was twelve years old. He 
then left home to learn the butcher's trade, .at 
which he served three years, and was then engaged 
as a journeyman until 1863. At this time he 
opened a shoj) in Keokuk and carried on business 
for one year. He then closed out and became an 
employe in the pork house of Patterson Si Timlier- 
mau, with whom he was engaged in the winter 
seasons, and in the summer was engaged in butch- 
ering. In the year 1867 he as.sociated himself in 
partnership with Mr. Narrley, .and they have been 



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ill business together since that time. They are 
both straightforward business men and occupy a 
leading position among the business interests of the 
Gate City. Mr. Walsmith began at the foot of 
the ladder, and has accumulated his possessions 
solely through the exercise of his own industry and 
enterprise. 

Mr. Walsmith was married in October, 18G2, to 
Miss Elizabeth Luzren, a native of his own country, 
by whom he has become the father uf four chil- 
dren — P^mmie, Lena, Odellia and Kosa. They have 
a comfortable home at No. 1113 Franklin street, 
and are held in high esteem by a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances. Mr. Walsmitli is the 
possessor of a moderate amount of city property, 
and with his wife is a member in good stan<ling of 
the Lutheran Church. He also belongs to the So- 
ciety of Druids, the L O. O. F., the Knights of 
Honor and the Arcanum. Politically he affiliates 
with the Republican party, in support of the prin- 
ciples of which he uniformly casts his vote. 

)HOMA,S V. W[LSON, brother of James, and 
third child of Thomas Wilson, is a native of 
Jefferson Township, and was born Feb. 1.5, 
1849. He was reared on his father's farm, and 
during his boyhood attended school winters and 
assisted in the duties around the homestead during 
the summer seasons. From earlj' childhood he was 
trained to habits of industry and economy, and in 
early 3'outh began to save his earnings and to have 
a care for the future. In 1870 he and his brother 
James became partners, and have successfully man- 
aged the affairs of tlie homestead since that time. 
He is the possessor of a good two-story lirick house, 
has a good barn, and is surrounded by the com- 
forts of life. 

Mr. Wilson was married, in Ft. Madison, Oct. 
■2o, 1872, to Miss Henrietta, daughter of .John 
and Henrietta (Eppers) Slagenbush. of German 
ancestry and parentage, and who remained in 
their native country until after their marriage. 
They then emigrated to the United States, and 
after arriving in the New World set their faces 
westward, and came into Iowa, locating in Jefferson 




Township, this county, after a short time spent in 
the city of St. Louis. They became residents of 
the llawkeye State in 1851, located uiion a tract of 
land, and engaged in farming, and established a 
comfortable home, where they remained until their 
death. Mrs. Wilson was born in Germ.any Feb. 3, 
18.52, and was little more than an infant when her 
parents emigrated to the United States. By her 
union with our subject she has become the mother 
of six children, as follows: William A., \'alley L., 
Ethel O., Genevra S., Thomas C. and OIlie A. 

In politics the subject of our sketch is strongly 
Democratic. He enjo3's the confidence and esteem 
of his fellow-townsmen, who have conferred upon 
him the minor offices within their gift. Mrs. W. 
was reared in the Presbyterian faith, and still ad- 
heres to the religion of her parents. 



^- 



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/^\ HRISTIAN MERTENS, a successful farmer, 
l( ^ stock-trader and shipper of Marion Town- 



r 

^^(' ship, is pleasantly located on section 1 9, and 
constitutes one of the important factors of the agri- 
cultural and industrial community. Mr. Mertens 
is a native of Germany, and was born on the 12th 
of February, 1830. His father, Peter Mertens, was 
a practical miller, and in early life was married to 
Miss Anna M. Colman. In 184(5 they emigrated 
to America, embarking on the sailing-vessel "Sha- 
ron," bound for New Orleans. The voyage occu- 
pied seven weeks, and from the Crescent City they 
proceeded to St. Louis, Mo., and after a short st.ay 
there located on a farm near Manchester, which 
they occupied five years and where the father died. 
In the fall of 1851 the mother, witii her little fam- 
ily, removed to Lee County, Iowa, locating in Ma- 
rion Township. 

Our subject, after the death of his father, as- 
sumed the responsibility of caring for the family 
until he reached his majority. He then purchased 
a farm of 120 acres in Marion Township, where the 
family settled, and he began his careei- as a general 
farmer and raiser of hogs and cattle for the market. 
In this latter department he was especially success- 
ful, this, indeed, constituting the foundations of 
his present possessions. He enlarged his capacities 




m 





ui^^iJmmEinsis^ 



LEE COUNTY. 



as time passed on, and in addition to laising stock 
began to buy and siiip to the Cliicugo market. In 
1 8(54 lie purcluised the present homestead on sec- 
tion lit. This includes 280 acres of choice land in 
a fine state of cultivation, upon which is a sulistan- 
tial farm residence, a good barn, and all other out- 
buildings required by a first-class agriculturist. 

Mr. JMertens was married, in 1853, to Miss Chris- 
tina Schlangen, of this county, and they have be- 
come the parents of eleven children, four sons and 
seven daughters, all living. Mr. M. and his family 
are worthy members of the Catholic Church of St. 
Paul, of which lie is one of the most liberal support- 
ers, lie is a man of note in his community and is 
held in high regard for his persevering industry, 
which lias acc(>m|ilishe(l such great things for him, 
and his honest and straightforward methods of do- 
ing business. A view of the fine farm residence of 
-Mr. .Mertens will be found on another page. 



— W ^v^ajg^/®-^/. 



i-^^i/^aTryv* '\/^/^^ 




ILLIAM COYNE, deceased, was a pioneer 
settler of the Territory of Iowa, and well 
^'^ and favorably known throughout this sec- 
tion for over forty years. He came to Lee County 
in 1S42 and located in Ft. Madison, which was 
then a small village; he then went to Missouri and 
remained ten years, and from there went to Wash- 
ington, I). C, securing a position in the Sixth Au- 
ditor's oftiee, returning to Lee County, Iowa, in 
1 .s(;7, and remained a resident of .lefferson Town- 
ship until his death. While at Ft. Madison, on the 
(Ith of September, 1813, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Lavinia, daughter of Andrew and Sus- 
anna (Ritter) Oberly, who were born, reared and 
married in Northampton County, Pa. They were 
of Swiss ancestry, who came to the United States 
with the Penn Colony in the early history of this 
couiitiy, and |)urchased land of William Penn near 
Philadelphia. 

Anthony Oberl}', the great-grandfather of Mrs. 
Coyne, after emigrating to this country lived and 
died in Pennsylvania, as did also his son John, the 
grandfather of Mrs. C. Her father, Andrew Oberly, 
was born .July 20, 1799. He was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and ill 1810 removed from I'enns^lvania 






to Iowa, stopping a short time in Burlington, and gl 
then locating in Lee County. He lived at Ft. §1 
Madis(jii f(«- two years, and then jiurchased 160 
acres from the Mormons in what was then the half- 
breed tract. He improved and cultivated his land, 
and remained upon it until his death, which oc- 
curred April C, 1864, at the age of seventy-five 
3'ears, one mouth and three da3's. His wife, the 
mother of Mrs. C. of our sketch, survived him 
eight years, and died at her home in Jefferson 
Township .Jan. 2.5, 1872, aged sevent3'-six years 
and six months. He was a prominent member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and she was connected 
with the Lutherans. He was strongly Democratic 
in politics, and a man of decided views and o|iiii- 
ions. 

Mrs. Lavinia Coyne, by her marriage with our 
subject has become the mother of four children, of 
whom the record is as foUows: William married 
Miss Nella Hawkins, who was born and reared in 
Keokuk ; they are now in Sacramento, Cal., Mr. C. 
being successfully engaged in the lumber business, 
and they have two children — William K. and 
Frank H. ; Mary E., a successful teacher for a num- 
ber of years, is now living at home ; Franklin mar- 
ried Miss Eliza C. Cale, and is engaged in farming 
for his mother on the old homestead; Andrew mar- 
ried Miss ^VUie M. Walker, and is a farmer of Jef- 
ferson Township. 

William Coyne of this sketch was a native of 
Philadelphia, Pa., and was born March 29, 1817. 
He was of Irish ancestry and parentage, and his fa- 
ther died in Philadelphia when he was but an. infant. 
Ill due time his mother contracted asecond marriage, 
and our subject was reared by his stepfather, James 
Glasgow, a (Quaker and an early settler of Philadel- 
phia. He remained with his mother and stepfather 
until he was of age, in the meantime learning of the 
latter the trade of plasterer and glazier. He then left 
the parental roof, and going West tt) Illinois, located 
in Adams County, where he remained until 1842, 
and became a |)rominent citizen of that localit3'. 
He served as Deputy Sheriff under James Jasper of 
Adams County. He came to Ft. Madison in 1842, 
where he remained for three 3'ears, .and then went 
to Missouri, settling in Siiringfield, and lived there 
ten years. Here, also, his intelligence, force of 






character, aud general excellent qualities, received 
ready acknowledgement, and he became promi- 
nently connected witli the affairs of his locality. 
He was appointed by President Buchanan Sixth Au- 
ditor of the Post-OfHce Department, which position 
he occupied for four years, and when the war broke 
out he joined .the Confederate army and fought for 
what he believed to be the right until the termina- 
tion of the conflict. He then returned to Lee 
County and to lais home in Jefferson Townsliip, 
where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 
September, 1875. 

Mr. Coyne was reared in the Catholic faith, to 
which he remained loyal until the end of his days, 
and politically was a stanch adherent of the Demo- 
cratic party. Mrs. Coyne, who survives her hus- 
band, is a lady highly esteemed in her community, 
and a prominent member of the Episcopal Church. 
Her homestead is pleasantly located, and comprises 
a handsome farm dwelling, with barns and out- 
buildings, and IGO acres of valuable land. She is 
also the possessor of IGO acres of timber in another 
part of the county. 



|t^ R. R. M. PARKER, homeopathic physician 
and surgeon, and a representative citizen 
of Montrose Village, is a native of the Em- 
pire State, born in Madison Count^', March 
21, 1818. He is the son of Leonard C. and Betsy 
T. (Bennet) Parker, both natives of Massachusetts, 
who passed their lives in their native State and 
tliere died at a ripe old age many years ago. 
Leonard C. Parker was a farmer by occupation, 
and he aud his excellent wife became the parents 
of ten children, whom the^^ carefully trained and 
to whom they gave the best advantages within 
their power. They were named as follows : Har- 
vey, Jane, Elizabeth, R. M. (our subject), William, 
Sophia, Sarah, Jamnes, Caroline and Allaseba. 

The subject of this biography remained under 
the parental roof, receiving careful home training 
and a fair education in the common schools, and 
assisted his parents in tlie duties around the home- 
stead until his marriage with Miss Angelina Swan, 
in 1863. Mrs. Parker was a native of Ohio, born 



in 1830, and after being the companion of her hus- 
band for fifteen years departed this life in Hancock 
County, 111., in 1878, leaving two children, a son 
and daughter, James W. and Bessie O. 

Dr. Parker received his primary education in 
New York State, and coninieneed reading medicine 
in 1838, entering u|)on the practice of his profes- 
sion in 184.0. He makes a specialty of the dis- 
eases of women and children, and is the only prac- 
titioner of the kind in this vicinity. He claims to 
be a resident of Hancock County, 111., but his prac- 
tice while there became so large that he was obliged 
to effect a removal in order to be more centrally 
located. In addition to his professional duties he 
has always had a taste for agriculture and horticult 
ure. He went to Nauvoo, 111., in 18GG, where he 
purchased 1 30 acres of land, which is now within 
the city limits and very valuable. He has a fine 
residence, two stories in height, and built of brick, 
which was once the property of Brigham Young. 
Upon this farm is a vineyard of forty acres, and 
he also carries on grape culture on another five 
acres. 

The subject of our sketch has been a prominent 
man in this locality for many years. He is an ex- 
tensive reader and has made the most of his oppor- 
tunities. In 18G7 he became a member of tlie A. 
F. & A. M. at Nauvoo, Ijelonging to Reclamation 
Lodge No 54, and has filled the various offices of 
this lodge with the exception of Master. His wife 
was an earnest and conscientious memljer of the 
Episcopal Church, witli which the Doctor is also 
connected, and to the support of which he contrib- 
utes to the extent of his means. In politics he uni- 
formly easts his vote in support of the principles of 
the Repulilican party. Tlie portrait of Dr. Parker, 
which accompanies tiiis sketch, will, it is hoped, be 
regarded as a faithful likeness of an honored citizen. 








^j^^. D. HARTLEY, deceased, was a prominent 
I IJIJ and highly esteemed resident of Cedar 
li\J^ Township, and l)y his excellent traits of 
character and genial disposition iiad gathered 
around him a large circle of friends who hoUl his 
name in kindly remembrance. Our subject was 





422 



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LEE COUNTY.. 






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Ixjiii in Washington County, I'a., Dec. 1, 1H15, and 
was the son of Tlioniiis and Harliara (I, an) Hartley, 
botii natives of Biiciis County, I'a. Thomas Hart- 
ley was a shoemaker l)y trade, and followed this 
occupation in I'ennsylvania until his removal to 
Kandolpii County, hid., where he was employed in 
a similar manner until the last years of his life. 

Norton I). Hartley was but two years old when 
his parents removed from Pennsylvania to Indiana. 
They were among the pioneer settlers of that region, 
and located near Lawrenceburg upon a fai'm, which 
they occupied for some years and then removed to 
Randolph County. The boy was reared to farm 
pursuits, and after the lapse of several j'ears left 
his home for Preble County, Ohio, where he pur- 
chased and settled upon an improved farm, which 
he occupied until 1H48. He then returned to In- 
diana, and purchasing a farm in Morgan C^ount^', 
carried on farming pursuits there for the following 
six years, and then selling out, crossed the Father 
of Waters, and coming into Iowa by way of Keo- 
kuk, proceeded from there by wagon to Cedar 
Township. There he rented land for two j'ears of 
the White Labor Institute, and subsequently pur- 
chased eighty acres on section 2. He occupied 
this also about six years, then sold it, and pur- 
chased another tract of land on section 1 of the 
same township. This consisted of eighty acres, 
and upon it he remained until his death, which 
occurred IS'ov. 11, 1870. 

Mr. llartlej' was married, April 20, 1837, to 
Miss Deborah A. Jones, a native of Preble County, 
Ohio, who was born Jan. 20, 1820. Her father, 
William Jones, was a native of Georgia, born in 
17'JH, and the son of George and Lydia (Hobson) 
Jones. William Jones was six years old when his 
parents removed from Georgia to Preble County, 
Ohio, and were among the early settlers of that 
region. There he grew to manhood, married, and 
settled on a farm, where he passed the remainder of 
his days. The maiden name of his wife was Deb- 
orah A. Conaroe, a native of Nevy Jersey, born in 
1802. Her parents removed to Butler County, 
^and she remained with them until her marriage, and 
died in Preble County, Ohio. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hartley became the parents of 
twelve children, ten of whom are yet living: Will- 



iam .1. and Thomas C. live in Cherokee County, 
Kan.; .lohn is in Des Jloines. Iowa; (JeorgeN., in 
Fountain City, Iiul.; Lydia Caroline became the 
wife of Evan Mendenhall, and resides in Wichita. 
K.an. ; Lindley M. lives in Cedar Townshij); Susan 
D. II. is married and resides in Kenosha County, 
Wis.; David Alvin is in Cedar Township; Charles 
K., in Osceola County, Iowa; and Daniel N. is a 
student at Union Park Seminary, Chicago; one son 
died in infancy; Elizabeth was born June 28, 1839, 
married a Mr. Smith, and died in Cherokee County, 
Kan., July 18, 1881. 

Mrs. Hartley is a niembei' of the Society of 
Friends, and a lady held in the highest esteem in 
the communit}'. Her husband was reare<l in the 
same faith, and was Republican in polities. The 
homestead is one of the most pleasantly located in 
this vicinit}', and since the death of her husband 
Mrs. Hartley has conducted its affairs in a highly 
creditable manner. Her children have been care- 
fully trained and well educated, and in all respects 
she is fulfilling faithfully the duties of a careful and 
judicious manager of her household, and as a mem- 
ber of societj- is surrounded bj- a large; circle of 
friends and acquaintances. 

ECTOR JANSE, a prominent dairyman and 
farmer of Washington Township, is the 
owner of a comfortable homestead on sec- 
tion 27. He has been a resident of the 
Hawkeye .State since 18G7, and during a period of 
nearl}' twentj' years has become one of the solid 
and respected citizens of the township. Our sub- 
ject is a native of Holland, and was horn Oct. 23, 
1833. His father, John Janse, was .also of Holland 
parentage and ancestry, and emigrated to the 
United States with his family in 185G. The}' set- 
tled first in Boston, Mass., where the parents sub- 
sequently died and were there buried. 

The subject of this history remained in Boston 
for ten years after the death of his parents. He 
was the youngest but one of five children, three 
sons and two daughters, and was twent3'-three years 
old when he landed in the United States. He was 
married in Boston in Is.'iS, to Miss Mar\- Floliill. a 




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LEE COUNTY. 



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native of his own country, born in IBSS, and who 
came to the United States at the age of sixteen 
j'ears with her parents. They also settled in 
Boston and remained there until their death. Mrs. 
.Janse remained with her parents until her mar- 
riage. She and her husband are the parents of 
eleven children, two of whom are deceased, viz., 
Katie and Velie. The living are, Cynthia, Mare- 
nus, John, Edward C, Katheriue, William, Anna 
J., Mary L. and Phillip Velie. 

Mr. and Mrs. Janse remained iu Boston for some 
time after their marriage, Mr. Janse being employed 
in a rope factory for seven years. He then deter- 
mined to seek his fortunes in the wild West, and 
accordingly crossed the Mississippi and came into 
Lee County, which has since been his home. They 
first located in Keokuk, from which they removed 
to Washington Township. Mr. Janse is now the 
possessor of 206 acres of finely cultivated land, and 
besides the ordinary duties of agi-iculture has a 
dairj' of twenty-five milch cows. He has a profit- 
able milk trade with the people of Ft. Madison, 
and is considered one of the solid and substantial 
business men of this locality. He is a stanch Repub- 
lican in politics, and he and Mrs. Janse are con- 
nected with the Presbyterian Church. 



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DWARD DENMIRE, a highly respected 

farmer of Montrose Township, who owns 

^ and occupies a fine estate located on section 



I '5 

'J 



"2.5, is the son of Peter and Nancy (Smith) Den- 
mire. His mother was a native of Hamburg, Ger- 
many, and came to the United States when a small 
girl. She married Mr. Denm ire in Ohio, and be- 
came the mother of three children : F^dward, the 
subject of our sketch; Benjamin, who married Miss 
Eliza Smith ; and Eliza, now the wife of E. P. 
Smith. 

Edward Denmire was born March 4, 1820, and 
was the eldest child of his father's family, remain- 
ing under the parental roof until he had attained to 
years of manhood. He was married, Dec. 31, 1851, 
to Miss Emily Kyle. Mrs. Denmire was born in 
Trumbull County, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1820, and of her 
union with our subject there have been born two 



I mXTITXIXir 




children, a son and daughter, Altha E. and Law- 
rence E. Mr. Denmire came to Iowa in 1853, 
making his location in Montrose Township, where 
he remained until the Rebellion necessitated the 
call for troops to aid in the preservation of the 
Union. He at once began to arrange for respond- 
ing to the call, and in due time enlisted as a soldier, 
becoming a member of Co. D, 30th Iowa Vol. Inf., 
entering the service as wagoner. He remained 
in the service three years, carried the musket some 
months, and participated in several general engage- 
ments. He was at Vlcksburg, Arkansas Post, 
Chattanooga, and all the battles and skirmishes of 
the Western Army until Sherman started to the 
sea. He was taken prisoner near Cave Springs, 
Ga., about fifteen miles from Rome, and was 
held five months and eighteen days atCahaba, Dal- 
las Co., Ala. At the expiration of this time the 
war terminated, and he was mustered out, with his 
regiment, at Davenport, Iowa. 

Mr. Denmire and his companions suffered severely 
during their imprisonment. Their rations consisted 
of a pint of corn meal per day, ground with the 
cob, and all the meat they saw during their tedious 
imprisonment was upon three occasions; once a half 
pound of beef was divided up among five men; at 
another time one hog ear was divided among the 
same number, and at another time a part of a hog's 
nose furnished a luxury to the five men. They 
were confined in a cotton house, and at one time 
they raised a mutiny, captured the sixteen men who 
stood as guard, and held the position for four hours, 
when they were obliged to surrender. They were 
then starved more than usual for six days in re- 
turn for their insubordination. Mr. Denmire still 
preserves an old spoon as a relic of those days. It 
was carved out of wood by one of the boys in tlie 
prison and was esteemed quite a luxury. 

After his return from the army, Mr. Denmire re- 
turned to Iowa, and engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. He is now the possessor of 224 acres of 
finely cultivated land, upon which he has erected a 
fine dwelling-house and good barns. The home- 
stead is replete with all the appliances that consti- 
tute a first-class modern farm estate, and its in- 
mates are among the most highly resjiected citizens 
of Lee County. Mrs. Denmire is a member of the 



ilHE 



11 



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LEE COUNTY. 



iiii 




Christian Church, and Mr. I), in politics is Repub- 
lican. Mr. Denmire has lieen a member in good 
standing- of the A. F. & A. I\I. for twenty-live 
years. As a business man he is considered one of 
the most thorough-going and straightforward in his 
community. As a neighbor and citizen, he is highly 
esteemed and respected by all who coine in contact 
with him. 



GARRETT FUEKER, one of tlie oldest set- 
tlers of Marion Township, came to Iowa in 
the summer of 18.37, and has been an inter- 
ested witness of the remarkable changes which have 
occurred since that early time. Iowa remained 
a Territory nine years after our subject crossed the 
Mississippi, and in common with the other pioneers 
he has been materially interested in its development 
and growth, and has assisted in bringing it to its 
present proud position among the .States west of the 
Mississippi. 

Mr. Fueker was born in Germany, June ItJ, 1811, 
and at the age of seven years was placed in school, 
where he continued until fifteen. He then went to 
work on the farm of his father, Barnard Fueker, 
and was thus eugaged until twenty-six years old, 
when he emigrated t(j America, landing in the city 
of New York. From there he proceeded to St. 
Louis, Mo., thence to Ft. Madison, where he re- 
mained for a time with his brother, and fi'om there 
went to Galena, 111., and for a period of eight years 
following was employed in the lead mines. He 
then returned to Lee County, Iowa, and com- 
menced farming upon .'iOO acres of land, for which 
lie contr.'icted to pay with borrowed money at 75 
per cent interest. Money at that time was almost 
impossible to obtain, but in spite of this ruinous in- 
terest he went to work and pulled through in 
safety. His first house was a small log cabin, which 
he occupied with his family for several years. 

Our subject was married in 1846, to Miss Aldine 
Moorehousc, who only lived a short time after their 
marriage. His second wife was Miss Elizabeth 
Sanders, to whom he was married in 18G0. Of this 
union there were Ixjrn six children, four now de- 
ceased. The two liviu<;- are Elizabeth, llie wife of 



.Iiilm lA'mmaes, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, ami Henry, ; 
.•it home with his parents. ; 

In connection with general farming our subject j, 
has been successful .as a stock-raiser, and sells large Ji 
numbers of cattle and hogs a]nnially. In conmum 
with most German farmers he i)rides himself upon 31 
his good horses, which are well fed ami well eared 3t- 
for. lie still owns his original .JDit acres, which he :[: 
purchased against such odds when coming to this 5i 
countj', and has a fine competenc}' for his old age. 3f: 

Mr. Fueker h.as been a liberal-minded citizen, a[ 
and the encourager and snp|)orter of every meas- 'l 
ure tending to the welfare of his eoniinunit}'. He i\ 
is a member in good standing of the Catholic S 
Church, and contributed ^1,01)0 toward the erection « 
of the church edifice in St. Paul. Although now S! 
nearly seventy-six years of age, he is hale and 
hearty, and is in full possession of his mental fac- 
ulties, as well as sight and hearing. He has never 
laid .aside his early habits of industry and economy, 
and still busies himself with the lighter duties 
around the farm. 



►>C<tf-»'^!^" 



^^NTOINE .1. LkFAIVRE, a successful horti- 
0fu culturist of Jackson Township, is pleas- 
li an tly located on section 19. He has been 
a resident of this section since 1875, and 
is principally eng.aged in the culture of the finer 
fruits and vegetables. The subject of this histor3' 
is the son of Antoine and I'elagie (Premain) 
LeFaivre, natives respectively of Canada and St. 
Louis, Mo., of French ancestrj- and parentage. 
Our subject was the only son of his parents, and 
was born in St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 8, 1841, which re- |j 
mained his home until he w.as twenty-two years of 
age. His education was mostly obtained in the 
Academy of the Christian Brothers at .St. Louis, S 
and after completing his studies he engaged in the 
commission business in that city for about one year. 
In December, 18(53, Mr. LeFaivre came to Keo- 
kuk, and eugaged in the queensware trade with 
Samuel E. Carey, under the firm name of Carey & 
LeFaivre. They carried on business in partner- 
shijj for ten j-ears, and then Mr. LeFaivre sold out 
liis interest to his partner and assiinie(l ciiarge l)f 



1 1 

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Hf 



(ribbon's Opera House until l.sTo. He then pur- 
chased fifty-live iioies of land in Jackson Township, 
and turned his attention to gardening. On the 6th 
of August, 1884, his house with its entire contents 
was destroyed b}' Are, and was only partially in- 
sured. He was not discouraged, however, by this 
calauiit}', and had plent}' of friends to assist him. 
He at once rebuilt and resumed his business as soon 
as possible. He now occupies a fine modern dwell- 
ing, and is surrounded I13' all the comforts of life. 
Antoine LeFaivre was married in Keokuk, Iowa, 
to Miss Mary C. Burke, a native of Marietta, Ohio, 
and the daughter of James E. and Jlargaret Burke, 
and of this union there were born five children: 
The three eldest are deceased, those surviving 
being Burke and Margaret. The wife of our sub- 
ject departed this life on the Gth of March, 187G. 
She was an earnest adherent of the Catholic faith, 
and a lady greatly respected for excellent traits of 
character. Mr. LeFaivre has been prosperous in 
the management of his business, and the products 
of his garden are the finest in this vicinity. He is a 
quiet and unostentatious citizen, attending strictly 
to his own affairs, and in politics uniformly casts 
his vote with the Republican party. 

-^ #.-#^ ^ _ 

VILLIAM J. MILLER, a prosperous farmer 
of Charleston Township, who owns and 
occupies a comfortable homestead on sec- 
tion 17, came with his parents to Iowa and settled 
in Lee County, in 18,52, and in a residence of over 
thirty years has established himself in the confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 

Mr. Miller was burn in Fulton County, 111., Nov. 
8, 183G, and is the son of John and Lucinda 
(James) Miller, natives of Kentuck}'. After their 
marriage thej' removed from their native State to 
Indiana, settling in Scotland County, whence they 
removed to Fulton Count3', 111., in about 18i5.j, and 
seventeen years later cr(jssed the Mississippi, and 
came into Lee County, Iowa, and settled in Jeffer- 
son Township, whence they removed two years 
later to Montrose, where .John .Miller departed this 
life in 1854. His wife, the mother of our subject. 



survived him eight years, dying in Van Buren 
Township, in 1862. The parental household in- 
cluded eight children, of whom the record is as fol- 
lows: Elizabeth, INIary, Esther and Hannah are de- 
ceased ; Martin is a farmer of Harrison Township; 
George resides in Charleston Township; Sarah is 
the wife of John Van Pa]), and resides in Keokuk ; 
William J. is our subject. 

Mr. Miller has been continuously engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. His homestead comprises 
eightj' acres, of which he is part owner with his 
brother George. He is a member of the Baptist 
Church, is Democratic in politics, is a law-abiding 
citizen, and takes an active and intelligent interest 
in the welfare of his community. 

•^ )*.1LLIAM FULTON, senior member of the 
\^// ^''" ^^ Fulton & Fulton, attorneys at law 
W^ and dealers in real estate, at Keokuk, is a 
native of Westmoreland County, Pa., born near 
West Newton on the 4th of June, 1829. His par- 
ents were William and Nancy (Peairs) Fulton. The 
former was a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., 
and traced his ancestors back to Ireland, his grand- 
father being Abraham Fulton, from whom descended 
Robert Fulton, the father of William, Sr., who 
served in the Revolutionary War. The father of 
our subject was in the War of 1812, and at the 
close of the conflict retired to Westmoreland County, 
and there died in 1851. The parental household 
included six children, three of whom grew to years 
of maturity, and of whom our subject is the 
eldest living. The mother of our subject, who be- 
fore her marriage was Miss Nancy Peairs, was born 
in 17'Jl, and departed this life in 1882, at the 
advanced age of ninety-two years. 

William Fulton, our subject, pursued his primary 
studies in the common schools, and later attended 
Washington College, from which he graduated in 
1854. He then went to the State of Louisiana, 
and after two years spent there as a teacher came 
to Keokuk and completed his law studies with the 
firm of Ilornish & Lomax. He was admitted to 
practice in 1 858, and to a partnership with his pre- 
ceptor (:S[r. Ilornish), which lasted for six years. 



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426 



LEE COUNTY. 



11 





Since that time he has beeu mostly engaged in the 
purchase and sale of real estsite and in fire insurance, 
representing about fifteen of the most relial)k' com- 
panies in the countr3-. lie has served as Alderman 
of the city for two j'ears, and was a member of the 
School I5oard four years, lie is a charter member 
of the Keokuk Library Association, in which body 
he has served as Secretary, Treasurer and Director. 
He is actively interested in all measures for pro- 
moting the welfare of his adopted city, and in all 
respects is a self-sacrificing and conscientious citizen. 
Mr. Fulton was married in June, 186.5, to Miss 
Elizabeth Dalzcll, of IMttsburgh, Pa., and their four 
children are : Nannie Peairs, Robert Dalzell, ,Iamcs 
Mc(,^ueen and Mnry E. The famil}' oceup}' a pleasant 
and attractive liome, and enjoy the association and 
friendship of the cultured people of the city. The 
entire family are members of the Presljyterian 
Church, in which our subject has been an Elder 
six years and Deacon twelve years. Socially Mr. 
F. belongs to the I. O. O. F. 



^<?=^EORGE HOTT, the subject of this biog- 
III (-— , raphy, an honored pioneer of the Hawkeye 
^^ijj State, crossed the Mississippi from his na- 
tive State of Ohio at an early day, 1840, and came 
into Iowa while it was yet a Territory. The 
changes which lie has witnessed since that time 
would make a most interesting volume could the}' 
be related by our subject, as he is a man possessed 
of more than ordinary intelligence, and has been 
keenly observant all his life (;f what was going on 
around him. 

Mr. Hott vvas born in Pickaway County, Ohio, 
F'eb. 23, 1812. His father, Peter Hott, was a na- 
tive of Virginia, and removed from his native State 
to Ohio at an early period in the history of that 
section. He was possessed of limited means, but a 
large fund of industry and ambition, and after go- 
ing into Ohio, he cleared quite an extent of land 
bj' leasing, and in the course of his life built twen- 
ty-two log houses, in wliich lie lived while perform- 
ing the leases. lie departed from tlie scenes of his 
earthly labors at the age of ubnut sixty years. 

The parental family of uiir subject consisted ol 




eleven children, and as soon as George Hott was 
large enough to be of assistance, he was put to work, 
and aided in liurning brush, rolling logs, clearinu 
land and building fences. At the age of seven 
teen ^-ears, desiring to change his occupation and 
see something <>f the world, iie engaged as a i.i 
borer on the Ohio it Erie Canal, winch was then in 
process of construction. He was paid ijH> [ni 
month, and was thus occupied for the greater i>:iil 
of three 3'ears. He then returned to his old lionn'. 
and engaged in farming for the same wages, and 
continued a resident <>f that section until 1840. in 
the meantime he had formed domestic ties, ami 
had a familj' consisting of a wife and four ciiildn n. 
He also made a lease for seven years, and carried 
on coopering, bj' which means he was afterwm I 
able to go to Iowa. He now resolved to change 
his location, and accordingly, with his family, 
started for the Territory of Iowa. They were 
equipped with two horses, and a wagon loaded with 
their household goods. They cooked and camped 
by the wayside, and after four weeks of travel 
landed in Lee County. Thej- located in Harrison 
Township, and set up housekeeping in a humble 
log cabin, wliich was .also occupied bj' another fam- 
ily of the name of Reesman. There they spent the 
following winter, and in the spring Mr. Hott pur- 
chased eiglity acres of land in Harrison Township, 
upon which he erected a hewed-log house. 

Upon leaving Ohio Mr. Hott had less than !fi300 
in cash. After building his house in Iowa, the 
famil}' met with a great affliction in the death of 
the wife and mother, which compelled them to 
abandon their idea of establishing a home at that 
time. Mr. Hott engaged at coopering in Van Bu- 
ren Count}- during one winter, .and then purchased 
the place which he now owns and occupies. Upon 
it there vvas a small log cabin, and twenty-six acres 
were fenced. In .lanuary, 1K42, he moved into 
the log cabin with his little family, and commenced 
the improvement of his land. They occupied this 
a few years, when Mr. Hott secured a desirable 
tract of forty acres adjoining, iqjon wliich he built 
a more substantial house, into which they removed 
from the old ^n^Q and remained tliere until 1868. 
They were prospered in their labors, and Mr. Hott 
subsequentlj' erected a good set of frame l)uild- 







:r 







ings. He has since purchased additional land, until 
lie is now the possessor of 414 acres. His farming 
operations have been conducted in a sj'stematic 
manner, and for a long period of j'enrs he has been 
accounted one v{ the most intelligent and success- 
ful agriculturists of this section. 

The first wife of the subject of our sketch was 
Mif^s .lane Dean, of Pickaway Count}-, Ohio, to 
whom he was married in 1832. .She became the 
mother of seven children — Isaac, Peter, Aaron, 
Henr_y, and three unnamed. All except Peter are 
deceased. Mrs. Ilott died in 1841. Peter was 
born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Sept. 29, 1834. 
He was a little lad of six years when he came to 
Iowa with his parents, and lived with his father 
until his marriage with .Miss Mar}- Harlan, of Darke 
Count}-, Ohio, which occurred .Jan. 18, 185.5, and 
by this marriage there were three children. His 
wife only lived ten years after her marriage, dy- 
ing March 6, 1 865. He was married the second 
time, Dec. 7, 181)5, to Miss Anna Lane, a native of 
Highland County, Ohio, born Sept. 26, 1845, and 
the (laughter of .lacob and Charlotte (Cule) Lane. 
Of the second marriage one child was liorn, Isaac 
Henry. Peter Hott is a successful farmer and the 
only child of our subject now living. He is emi- 
nently a " chip of the old block," and possesses in 
a marked tlegree many of the worthy characteris- 
tics of his sire. He is a thorough-going business 
man, energetic and wide-awake, and whatever he 
undertakes is sure to be done well. He is a highly 
esteemed resident of the Hawkeye State, and pos- 
sesses one of the finest farm estates in this section. 
The second marriage of Mr. George Hott was 
, with Mrs. .lane M^arren, daughter of .Tohn lluddle- 
>on and widow of William AVarren, and took place 
in .January. 1842. Of this mairiage there were no 
children. Mrs. Hott died Feb. 27, 1.S84. She 
came to Lee County with her first husband in 1834, 
while this section was a part of the Tenitory of 
Wisconsin, and they made their location before the 
laud was surveyed, on what was afterward sections 
6, 7 and 8 of Cedar Township. Mrs. Hott was a 
member of the Congregational Church, with which 
our sul)ject has been connected for many years. 

Till' history of Mr. Hott is a striking illustration 
of what an abundance of energy and perseverance 



may accomplish. The advantages of his childhood | 
were exceedingly meager, but this fact would not [ 
be suspected in conversing with the present intelli- 
gent proprietor of one of the finest homesteads in 
Lee County. 






.'rt 



EV. FATHER MOBRLS HOWARD, late 
Priest of St. Francis' Church, Keokuk, came 
to this city in 1878. He was born in Ire- 
laud on the 4th of January, 1813, and 
emigi-ated to America in 1836, landing at New 
York City. There lie entered a theological col- 
lege, and prosecuted his studies for six months, 
when he left school and went to work in the mines at 
Pottsville, Pa., at $8 per week, being thus occupied 
until the winter of 1837. He then left and was 
employed elsewhere, and in due time re-entered col- 
lege but was not admitted to the priesthood. After 
this we find him at Mobile, Ala., where he was 
made the overseer of negroes. After six months 
he went into Perry County, Mo., and entered St. 
\^incent's College at Cape Girardeau on the Missis- 
sippi, where he remained from July, 1838, until 
October, 1841. Then, on account of failing health, 
he went South and remained until July, 1842, his 
health in the meantime becoming very much better. 
He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and on the 23d 
of October, 1842, was ordained priest by Bishop 
Purcell. His first station was at Doylestown in 
Wayne County, Ohio, where he remained until 
1846. Thence he went to Tiffin, Ohio, and in May, 
1850, removed to Springfield, whence he went to 
Galesburg, 111., in 1864. He remained there until 
August, 1877, removed thence to St. Augustine, 
and in May, 1878, came to Keokuk and took charge 
of St. Francis' Church, where he remained until his 
death. He was well fitted for the responsibilities 
connected with this charge and highly esteemed 
both in his own parish and outside. 




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L. CONNABLK, a retired merchant and 
capitalist, residing at Keokuk, and a self- 
made man in every respect the word implies, 
is a native of Massachusetts, and was born in 
1811. The parents of our subject. Ezra and Nahbie 







LEE COUNTY. 



(.Stephens) Coniiiible, were likewise lioni in Massa- 
chusetts. The fiither w:is a farmer I)y occiipalion, 
and departed this life in 1X40. Mis good wife pro- 

M. ceded him to the land <>f the hereafter in ISi;!. 
Tile parents iiad two cliildren, llic siihjcet of this 
" slvctcli lieing the j'oungest. 

A. L. Connable remained on ins f:itlier'.s farm 
until he was twenty years of age, when he set out 
to do for himself, by engaging his services to an 
author and publisher of a grammar, and for a 
year was occupied in canvassing for that work in 
Ohio. We next hear of him at Eaton, Preble 
County, Ohio, engaged in mail contracting, in 
which business he continued for about four years, 
furnishing horses, stage-coaches, etc., and taking 
c<jntracts for the carrying of the mail over different 
routes. 

In 1.S42 our subject disposed of his personal 
property, ctmsisting of horses, coaches, etc., and 

M abandoning the mail contract business, purcliased 
a large number of sheep. Starting with 3,000 
head, he drove them through the country to the 
then Territory of Iowa, being on the route fort^'-six 
days. Arriving in this State he settled in Jefferson 
County, where he purchased 600 acrgs of land, and 
at once began the improvement of the same, and 
for seven years kept his sheep and cultivated his 
land. He then disposed of his farm and all his per- 
sonal property', and moving to Keokuk took some 
large contracts on the Des Moines River, for im- 
proving the same. He was thus engaged for about 
two years, having in his employ from seventy-five 
to 100 men. 

In 1849 Mr. Connable embarked in the wholesale 
grocery business, together with that of dealing in 
iron on the levee in Keolcuk. This enterprise he 
continued for about fifteen years, meeting with 
signal success, which was brought about, undoubt- 
edly, by energetic endeavor and close attention to 
n business. At the expiration of this time Mr. Con- 
} nnble engaged in p.-icking pork and beef. He erected 
" a packing-house on Fifth street and slaughtered from 
;50,000 to 40,000 hogs and 3,000 beeves per annum. 
This latter business he continued for about seven 
years when he sold out, having accumulated a suf- 
ficiency in vvhich to pass the remaining years of his 
life in peace and quiet, retired from active labor. 





Mr. Connable is a gentleman who has never | 
soiiglit office, yet, while residing in .Icffcrsc)n County, = 
he was elected Supervisor, and has also served in «: 
the same capacity while a resident of Keokuk. He ? 
has spent over *10(),00(i in tiie erection of build- : 
ings in his adopted city and has done much towiird : 
its advancement and prosperity. In 1856 he erected 3 
his present residence, whieii is located on Concert ; 
street, between Second and Third. In politics he E 
votes the Democratic ticket, and religiously belongs :' 
to the Unitarian Church. He has always been a E" 
supporter of every laudable enterprise that was H 
calculated to advance the interest of his city or the 5; 
prosperity of the people. : 

Mr. Connable was married to Miss Sarah II. Fin- \ 
ney in 1849. She was a native of Baltimore, and : 
the daughter of Lewis H. F'inim'. They have :• 
become the parents of three children, all sons: » 
Albert E. married Miss Rose Franklin, of Keokuk, | 
and the3' have three children — Saddle, Lulu and E; 
Franklin ; the family reside in Hancock County. J; 
HI., where the father is extensively engaged in farm- 
ing; Edwin H. is farming on 600 acres of land in 
Clark County, Mo.; Howard L. is living in Keokuk, 
and formerly was engaged in the clothing business. 
The wife and mother departed this life in Januaiy, 
1885. She was a sincere Christian woman, a loving 
wife and kind mother, and was respected by all 
who knew her. Mr. Connal)le is one of the fore- 
most citizens of Keokuk, and respected and honored 
for his straightforward dealings with his fellow- 
man and his strict integrity. 

APT. ROBERT S. OWEN is one of the pio- 
neer boatmen of the Mississippi, having 
plied the rapids between Keokuk and Mont- 
rose for the last thirty-nine years, and is part 
owner of the steamboat "Park Bluff," belonging to 
the Des Moines Rapids Towing Company, and the 
steamer " Prescott." He also has an interest in 
other river craft, and among the members of his 
calling occupies a prominent and enviable position. 
He is skillful and popular, and is well and favor- 
ably known for miles up and down the river. 

Capt. Owen is a native of Indiana, and was born 



): 







g^™^^^^gSJSSl 





^Y'n^Sn ^gc 



LEE COUNTY. 



\: 

132 



at Point Commerce, Greene County, Oct. 9, 1830. 
He is tlie son of EpJiraim and Mary (Kern) Owen, 
natives of Ohio and New Jersey respectively. 
Epliraiin Owen removed from his native State to 
Iowa while it was yet a Territory, in 1839, and in 
that 3'ear his life terminated, at tlie age of fifty 
3'ears. lie was a farmer by occupation, and con- 
nected with the church of the Latter-Day Saints. 
His wife came with him to this State, and survived 
him until 1845 or 1846. She was reared in the 
faith of tlie Christian Church, Ijut after her mar- 
riage went with her husband to tlie church of his 
choice. 

The parental family of our subject consisted of 
two sons and three daughters, the record of whom 
is as follows: Robert S., our subject; Camara O. 
went to Utah Territory, and died there in 1 865 ; 
Ferniina V. became the wife of George Powers; 
Persilla died in about 1840, in the spring of the 
year; Ephraim F., also a steamboat Captain and 
pilot on the lower Mississippi, was married in 18G7, 
to Miss Marj' Barnett, of Mobile, Ala. ; he died in 
St. Louis on the 18th day of September, 1867, of 
yellow fever. He had started from St. Louis in 
command of the steamer " Bee," belonging to the 
Mississippi Valley Transportation Company, made 
his trip in safety, and was stricken with the plague 
in Baton Rouge, La., and brought to St. Louis. 
His first trip up the river as pilot was to St. Paul 
in 1854, and he followed the Upper Mississippi as 
pilot until 1863, when he went below and followed 
the Lower Mississippi trade for the following two 
years, then purchased an interest in the steamer 
" War Eagle," running her as Captain 'one year. 
He then became employed by the above-named 
transportation company, and secured a life insur- 
ance to the extent of $5,000, which after his death 
was paid to his widow. 

Capt. Owen of this sketch was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Eliza A. Peck, Nov. 5, 1856. Mrs. 
Owen is a native of South Adams, Mass., born June 
11, 1835. Her parents were Cyrus and Ruth T. 
(Hoxie) Peck, natives of New York and Massachu- 
setts respectively, and she was their only child. 
Her father was born Feb. 21, 1804, and departed 
this life Nov. 12, 1858, in Hancock County, 111. 
Mrs. Peck died Oct. 28, 1835, in Massachusetts. 



Of the union of Capt. and Mrs. Owen there 
been only one child, a son, Zack, born Aug. 
1857. He has received a fine education, and is an 
intelligent and successful business man. Mrs. 
Owen is a highly cultivated lad3', and of remark- 
ably attractive personal appearance. She comes of 
an excellent family, and is a cousin of the late II. 
M. Hoxie, of St. Louis. Capt. Owen and his fam- 
ily occupy a fine residence in Montrose, and are 
surrounded by the evidences of a refined and cul- 
tivated taste. 

Besides his town property, Capt. Owen is the 
proprietor of 350 acres of land in Montrose Town- 
ship. He is a gentleman of jjleasing manners, a 
great favorite among river men, and highlj' es- 
teemed in the town where he makes his home. He 
is a member in good standing of the I. O. O. F., 
Cascade Lodge No. 66, and also belongs to the A. 
F. & A. M., Joppa Lodge No. 136, at Montrose, 
and to Potowonok Chapter; also Damascus Com- 
mandery No. 5, at Keokuk, the Eastern Star, and 
the Knights of Pythias, No. 115. He casts his vote 
uniformly in support of the principles of the Re- 
publican party, and takes an intelligent interest in 
all matters of local and general importance. 

Capt. Owen is a thorough business man, and is 
President of the Des Moines Rapids Towing Com- 
pany, the members of said company being, R. S. 
Owen and Capt. Samuel Speake, of Nauvoo, F. A. 
Whitnej', of Sandusk}', Iowa, and Thomas Peel, of 
Burlington. 



EY. ALOYSIUS MEIS, pastor of St. Mary's 
Church, of Ft. Madison, is an esteemed 






■^ 







n 



m 




resident of the city, and occupies a prom- 
inent position as a minister of the Catholic 
faith. Father Meis -is a native of Westphalia, 
Prussia, and was born in December, 1833. He is 
the son of Henry and Margaret (Happe) Meis, and 
his father departed this life before the. birth of his 
sou, our subject. The parental family consisted of 
four children, all of whom came to the United 
States. The eldest son, Barney, was a farmer by 
occupation, and died in Dubuque County, Iowa, 
some years since. Ferdinand resides near Dj'ers- 
ville, Duliuque County, and is engaged in agricuit- 





432 



LEE COUNTY. 



P^ 



SB 



Pi] 



B 




ural pursuits; Frmik is also carrying mi f.anniiii^ in 
the same lucality. The youngest son. Aloysius, is 
the subject of our si<etch. 

In due time after the death of her hiislitnid, tlic 
mother of our subject contracted a sec(jnd inar- 
riaae, about l»;iti, becoming the wife of ^Villi!lm 
Pape, and by this marriage tliere were boni four 
sons, namely, Conrad, who resides in Duhuciue 
Cnunty, Iowa; Henry, whose home is in Carroll 
County; Herman, a merchant of Carroll City, Iowa, 
and William, who is .■! priest in the Catholic Church 
stationed at New Vienna, Dubuque County. 

The family came to the United States in l.s4'.i, 
landing at New Orleans. an<l soon afterwiird settled 
in Duljuijue County. Iowa. There the mother died 
in IsOo, atthe age of sixty-two years, and the 
step-father died at the same place. The subject of 
our sketch, in early youth, was emi^loyed upon a 
farm and went to Kentucky. He was a bright and 
aml)itious lad of studious habits, and determined 
to secnire an education. He made the most of his 
opi)ortunities. and in due time entered St. Thomas 
College, near B.-irdstown, Ky., and in 1M55 gradu- 
ated fnjm there and entered upon a course of study 
in the college of Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he 
received the instructions which fitted him for the 
position of a priest in the Catholic Church. He 
was ordained in 1863, his first charge being at 
Lyons, Iowa, where he remained for nearly two 
3-ears, and then wiis located atDubuiiue until 1871. 
During this time he was instrumental In the build- 
ing of St. M.-iry's Church, which is a beautiful edi- 
fice costing a sum of over $70,000. 

Father Meis came to Ft. Madison in Feliruar^-, 
1871. At that time the parish consisted of about 
200 families, and their new church edifice was beina- 
constructed. Father Meis materially assisted in 
securing the means recjuisite to its completion, its 
total cost being about |i40,0()(). It was demolished 
by a wind storm .July .3, 187G, and was re- 
paired at a cost of !S;-20,()()(l, which has now been 
nearly paid and the church almost out of debt. In 
connection with this church is a school in which are 
employed live teachers and four sisters, and which 
has an attendance of over .'500 pupils. There is 
also in connection with this parish a fine parsonage 
and a home for th(> sisters. 



Father Meis has been a diligent Inliorcr for the 
good of his church, and is eminently litteil for lii~ 
life work. He is a man of line educalioii and ex- 
tensive reading, and is hel<l in liiuli esteem in the 
cit}' of Ft. Madison. A lithographic view of M. 
Marv's Church is shown in this connection. 




\lr*>5i(^ AVID T. McCULLOCH, a resident of H.sr- 
iv rison Townshi]), who owns and occupies a 
fine homestead on section 2L is a native 
of South Carolina, and was born in 180(1. 
His parents were Robert and Sarah (Thompson) 
MeCuUoch, natives of the same State as their son. 
Robert McCulloch was born in 1770, reared in his 
native State, and learned the trade of a blacksniilli, 
which he followed principally during the reniaindcr 
of his life. He emigrated from his native State in 
1836, and located in Lee County, where he died in 
April, 18.54. Mrs. Sarah McCulloch was born in 
1768, and departed this life in September, 18,52. 
.She had become the mother of five children, and 
with her husband, the father of our subject, was a 
consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church. The record of their children is as follows: 
John, the eldest son, m.arried Miss Jones; David 
T., of our sketch, is a bachelor; William married 
Miss Johnson; E. S. m.arried Mi,ss Minerva Paisley; 
Mary became Mrs. McGuire. Of this family only 
two are now living— AVilliam, who resides in Ore- 
gon, and David T. 

Mr. McCulloch of our sketch is one of the pio- 
neers of Iowa, having crossed the Mississippi with 
his i)arents in 1836, when he was thirty years old. 
His father, after removing from South Carolina, 
located for a time in Tennessee, thence after a time 
went to Illinois, where he remained for eight years. 
In the meantime David T. and his brother Exum 
and their father were engaged as soldiers in the 
Llackhawk War for a period of three mouths, dur- 
ing which time, among other engagements and 
skirmishes, they participated in the battle of Bad 
Axe, Wis. Thej' remained in Illinois until I8;i6, 
thence removed to Lee Count}-, Iowa. 

After coming into the young Territory l)a\id 
MoCullocli Hi;ide a claim In Harrison Township on 



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LEE COUNTY. 



section 24, the land not yet having come into the 
market. Finally, when the land-office was opened, 
he [mrchased IGO acres. The present homestead 
consists of 13G acres, which is improved and under 
a good state of cultivation. Mr. McCulloch has 
been a good citizen and a friend of morality and 
religion. He received his earlj' educ<Ttii)n in the 
common schools, and made the most of his oppor- 
tunities. He has lieen a member of the Cumber- 
land Presb3'terian Church for forty 3'ears, and 
during that long i)eriod has made many valuable 
contributions to the support of the church of his 
choice. Political!}' he is a stanch Democrat, and 
uniformly casts his vote in support of the princi- 
ples of that party. 



■^f/OHN HOLDEFER, a respected citizen of 
Harrison Township, is carrying on the joint 
business of blacksmithing and farming, and 
is comfortably' situated on section .36. Mr. 
Holdefer is a native of the Kingdom of Bavaria, 
and was born Jan. 13, 1815. He came to the 
United States when a young man of twenty-two 
j'ears, unaccompanied by any friend or relative, 
lauding in New York Cit}', and traveled over the 
greater part of the United States in the three years 
following. In 1840 he landed in Ft. Madison, 
Iowa, and thence removed to Franklin, Lee County, 
where he worked at his trade for four years, and 
then moved onto a farm on the prairie, alternately 
pursuing his tr.ide and cultivating his land for a 
period of eight 3'ears. At the expiration of this 
time he parted with his first purchase, and selected 
eight}' acres further north, upon which he remained 
for a few 3'ears, and then purchased 160 acres on 
section 36 of Harrison Township, where he has 
since remained, and upon which he established his 
present homestead. 

lilr. Holdefer has been twice married, the first 
time in Pittsburgh, in 1839, to Miss Mar}' Weigel, 
who became the mother of eleven children, and 
depaited this life in 1862. Their children were 
named Jacob, John, Lucinda, (ieorge, Elizabeth, 
Daniel, Phillip, Charlie, Henrj', Phctbe and Mar}-. 
The latter died at the age of two j'ears. Daniel 




For his second wife Mr. } 1 



and Ph(jebe are married. 

Holdefer, in 1865, married Mrs. F. Rhoda, widow Djl} 

of Fred Rhoda. The present Mrs. Holdefer is a "^^S^ 

native of Wurtemberg, and was born in 1805. Mr. 

Holdefer is connected with the Evangelical Luth- p 

eran Church, but takes no part wliatever in politics 

He is a straightforward business man, and held in ■'*' 

respect by his neighbors and acquaintances. 



-^kttt^^^'^ 




I'^^^^ACHARY T. BELL, a prominent and re- 
spected farmer of Cedar Township, is 
pleasantl}' located on section I G, where he is 



pi 



following the peaceful pursuit of agriculture sys- 
tematically and industriously, and is meeting with 
success. Mr. Bell comes from an excellent family, 
and is a native of Huntingdon Count}', Pa. The 
town of his birth was Ennisville, and the date 
thereof June 16, 1848. His father, Hon. David 
Stewart Bell, was a native of the same State, but 
born in MifHin County, on the banks of the Juniata 
River, Nov. 15, 1811. His grandfather, David Bell. 
is believed to haye been a native also of Pennsylva- 
nia, and his birth occurred in 1 769. He was a farmer 
by occupation, and spent the last years of his life 
in the Keystone State. When Hon. David Stewart 
Bell, the father of our subject, was still a youth, he 
engaged as clerk in the general village store of the 
town of McYey, and afterward went into business 
of the same description himself. He was ambitious, 
and at an early age had partially marked out a fu- 
ture for himself. He was not satisfied with his 
condition or his prospects in his native State and in 
the fall of 1837 he started West, and after reach- 
ing Illinois, spent the winter in Joliet. 

In the following spring (1838) Mr. Bell crossed 
the Father of Waters, came into the Territory of 
Iowa, and located at Ft. Madison. He there re- 
sumed his former occupation as clerk, and that 
same year attended the first land sale at Burling- 
ton and made a purchase < m sections 8 and 9, Cedar 
Township. Meanwhile he continued his duties as 
clerk, and was gradually working himself into the 
confidence and esteem of the community. He was 
at iince recognized .as a young man of more than 
ordinary ability, and in due time wa-s appointed 






^ 



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i nxixi ^PP 



' TxrxxxxiE 




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Deputy Clerk of Lee County' by John H. Lyon, the 
chief iind first Clerk of the cDuiity. The duties of 
this position he fulfilled with credit to himself ;ind 
s;itisfacti(jn to all c<^neerned, and paved tiie way to 
rise still Jiigiier. 

Hon. David S. Bell .and Miss Sarah Stewart 
Ki'igell were united in marriage in Ft. Mailison on 
the 1st of .lanuary, l.s tO. Mrs. Bell was a native of 
Dauphin County, Pa., her birth oeeurring Sept. 22, 
ISI'J. After marriage ]\Ir. and Mrs. Bell remained 
in Ft. Madison until the folhming year, then re- 
turned to Knnisville, Pa., where Mr. B. engaged in 
mercantile pursuits for the following seven 3'ears. 
During this time the country lying around the tract 
of laud which he had purchased in Iowa w.as being 
slowly improved and develoiied, and in 1848, hav- 
ing sold his liusiness in Ennisville Mr. B. resolved 
to return to Iowa and .settle upon his claim. Ac- 
cordingly, accompanied by his family', he once 
more came into Lee County and made preparations 
for the establishment of a permanent home. One 
of his first duties was the con>truction of a dwell- 
ing, which was built of logs. Into this the fan)ilv 
moved, and it remained their home for about three 
3'ears, giving i)lace at the expiration of that time to 
a commodious brick residence. Mr. Bell was suc- 
cessful in his farming operations, and added t<j his 
first jmrchase as time passed bj*. He finally be- 
came the possessor of 480 acres, nearly all of which 
was finely improved. He remained upon this farm 
the remainder of his life, and was gathered to his 
final rest on the 12th of .lanuary, 1878. 

Mr. Bell was a man highly- esteemed in his com- 
munity, and always ready to .assist in the promo- 
tion of ever>' worthy- object. His judgment and 
opinions were eagerl3- sought, and his advice con- 
sidered safe to follow. He was decided in his 
views, but lirm and temperate in the expression of 
them, and made no enemies of those who differed • 
from him in opinion. He held the various offices 
of his township, and in 1870 rejiresented his county 
in the Iowa Legislature. During his earl^' man- 
hooil he belonged to the Whig party, but latterly 
affiliated with the Democracy. Mrs. Sarah Stewart 
Bell was the fit companion of her husband in his 
early toils and struggles, ^jympatliizing with his 
worthy and)ilions and rejoicing in his successes. 



The household circle consisted of seven children, 
as follows: Helen, born ii] Iowa Oct. .io, islo, died 
in Pennsylvania, in >Iay, 184;i; Benjamin .V.. born 
in Pennsylvania, March 18, 1812, died May 11, 
1843; Agnes S. became the wife of Isaac Reeves, 
and lives in .Salem; Thomas A. resides on the old 
homestead ; Zaehar3' T., our subject, was the next 
in order of Ijirtli; Lucretia C, born April 27, 18.51, 
died in l.sii.j; the ^youngest child, a daughter, died 
in infancy. The faithful wife and mother departed 
this life in February, 187.j. Mr. Bell was the sec- 
ond time married, to Sarah A. Coleman, in the fall 
of 1873. She now resides in Nebraska. 

Zachary T. Bell was the fifth child and third son 
of his parents' familj', and was but four months old 
when they came to Iowa. His early 3'ears were 
passed in attendance at the pioneer schools and as- 
sisting in the lighter duties around the homestead. 
With his brothers and sisters he received careful 
training from his excellent parents, and remained 
under the [jaiental roof until his marriage. The 
maiden of his choice was Sarah .S. Alexander, of 
Jefferson County, Ohio, with whom he w.as united 
March 27, 1873. Mrs. Bell was Vxirn May 28, 1 84(;, 
and was the daughter of John and Hannah (Rob- 
ertson) Alexander, both natives of Ohio. They 
remained in their native .State until after their mar- 
riage. In 1851 Mr. Alexander crossed the Missis- 
sijjpi for the purpose of establishing a permanent 
home in the Hawkeye .State. He made the entire 
journe3- on horseback, selected his location, re- 
turned East in the same manner in which he had 
come, and the following j-ear set his face westward, 
this time accompanied b3' his famil3-. His farm Lay 
in Cedar Township, and after his final return he set 
himself industriously to improve and cultivate his 
land. He was successful in his farming operations 
and remained a resident of the Hawke3'e State un- 
til his death. About 187.5 ]Mr. and Mrs. Alexander 
moved to Wayne Count3', Iowa, where his widow 
still resides. John Alexander folded his hands for 
his final rest on the 12th of October, 188(!, at the 
advanced age of eighty-two 3'ears. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bell settled 
upon a part of the homestead which Mr. B. now 
owns and occupies. They have become the ymr- 
ents of four children — Aiuia J., Charles E., Hugh i 



: f\ 







LEE COUNTY. 



■i.;ii: 

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435 






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T. and James Oscar. The homestead is a model one 
hi every respect, and its inmates are surrounded 
by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
life. Mr. Bell is an honest man and a good citizen, 
having an intelligent interest in the welfare of the 
community and the indorser of ever_v good "vork 
and purpose. Religiously he is inclined to the 
Presbyterian faith, and politically uniformly casts 
his vote in support of the principles of the Demo- 
cratic party. Socially Mr. Bell is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, Salem Lodge No. 17. Mrs. 
Bell is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

-^ ^#- ^^ 



^k^ OURTON CASE, a prominent and esteemed 
ill iW '^''''^®" *^^ ^^- Madison, has been a resident 
jjl 1^ of Lee County for the past thirt}' 3'ears, 
^ and in that time has witnessed remarkable 

and pleasing changes, and having been intimately 
identified with the interests of his city and com- 
munity, he has done what he could toward their 
development and progress. Mr. Case is a native 
of Connecticut, and was born March 12, 1827. 
His parents were Pinney and Lovina (IMoore) Case. 
natives of New England. The father was a farmer 
by occupation, and in 1836 the family' removed 
from Connecticut to Ohio, and were among the 
early settlers of Wayne Count}', that State. I'hey 
afterward removed to Franklin Countj', where the 
death of the father occurred at the age of sevent}'- 
seven years. The companion of his married life 
still survives, her home now being in Ft. Madison. 
She was born in 1808, and has consequently arrived 
at the good old age of seventy-nine j'ears. She 
and her husband were the parents of but two chil- 
dren, a daughter who died at the age of fifteen 
years, and Monrtou, the subject of our sketch. 

Mourton Case received his early education in 
the common schools of Connecticut, and at the age 
of seventeen years engaged as clerk in a dry-goods 
store, which occupation he followed until December, 
18.55. He then abandoned it on account of failing- 
health, crossed the Mississippi, and came into Iowa, 
settling at Ft. Madison, where he established him- 
self in the grocerj' busiiiess, which he has continued 
until the present time, with the exception of the 



year 1864, during which he was not engaged in any 
business. Mr. Case was the pioneer grocer of Ft. 
Madison, and has for several years been extensive- 
ly engaged in tlK' wood and coal trade. He is the 
possessor uf a line farm of 400 acres in Green Bay 
Township, and is largely interested in the breeding 
of Short-horn cattle. He is Democratic in his be- 
lief and princii)les, although he takes no active part 
in politics. Mr. Case has always been deeply inter- 
ested in educational matters, and the friend and 
supporter of whatever affected the interests of his 
city and community'. .Socially he is connected with 
the Masonic fraternity, in which he is a Knight 
Templar. 

The first marriage of Mr. Case occurred in 1849, 
at Columbus, Ohio, when he was wedded to Miss 
Maria L. Cumming, a native of New York. She 
became the mother of four children, and departed 
this life at Ft. Madison in 1.S71. Their family were : 
Lizzie M., who became the wife of James H. Bacon; 
Frank Eddie, who died at the age of two years; 
Edward M. and Robert M. Mr. Case was a 
second time married, in 1873, to Mrs. Elizabeth 
Jane (Eads) Lawrence. JMrs. Case was born in 
Indiana, in 1838, and of her union with our sub- 
ject has become the mother of one daughter, Maria 
Louise, born in November, 1874. The family oc- 
cup}- a pleasant homestead in Ft. Madison, and are 
highly' respected members of the community. 



lERNARD B. HESSE, one of the leading 
\Yir>^ clothiers of Ft. Madison, is a fine example 
/^) |l' of the self-made man. He has made of 
himself a man among men in one of the 
most intelligent communities of the llawkeye State. 
Our subject is a native of Prussia, born in the vil- 
lage of Field, the date of his birth being July l;j, 
1842. His father, Francis Hesse, was a native of 
the same village, born Jan. 19, 1812. He was edu- 
cated in the parochial schools, and after he had 
grown to manhood, engaged in the flour and lin- 
seed oil business until 1853, when he emigrated to 
America, accompanied by his wife and six children. 
After reaching the shores of the New World he 
proceeded directl}' West and via the Mississippi 











LEK COUNTY. 



River to Keokuk, while the river wns frozen, and 
from there wont t<i Ft. Madison. I lore lie first 
engjiiied in chui)|)ing wood on tlie Ijliiffs, :uh1 then 
engaged as clerk on a steamboat on the Mississippi 
River, lie did nul long snrvive his removal to 
this country-, bnt died in the spring of IH.'js. leav- 
ing a widow and six children. 

The parental family consisted of tlic following 
children : Mary became the wife of Ignatins West- 



t [t, in tlii 

|J;ho.f. 



m 



P 

t '}r phalen, and lives in Ft. Madison : Ottemyer also lives 

y '^ intliiscity; (lertrnde manied Tlieodijre Wester- 

the next son was the subject of our sketch, and 

his two younger brothers, Frank R. and John, both 

live in Ft. Madison. In early manhood, in his na- 

W^ t've land, the father of our subject, Francis Hesse, 
was married to Miss "Francesca Hesse, a native of 
the same place as her husband, who was born 
.March 4, ISOIJ. She survived him twenty years, 
dying .March 1, 1.S78. 

Bernard B. Hesse was eleven years old when he 
came to America with his parents, and located with 
them at Ft. Madison. In early years he assisted 
his father in chopping wood, and was variously 
em|)loycd until nearl}' thirteen years old, when he 
commenced to learn tiie tailor's trade. He served 
foui' years for his board and clothes, and afterward 
worked here as "jour" for six months. He then 
went to St. Louis, working there as "jour" for two 
years, and afterward became cutter in one of the 
-. J tirst-class shops of the city, after which he became 

} ij a partner in the firm of J. H. McAl[)ine, of St. 
^ — ^ Louis. He remainccl in the latter city until 1868, 
and tlien assf)ciate(l himself in partnership at Ft. 
.Ma<lison, doing business under tlie lirm name of 
Hesse & Sand, as a retail clothier foi' ten j'ears, three 
months and five days. He then sold iiis interest in the 
business on his own account, and soon afterward 
purchased the building which he now owns and oc- 
cupies, and which is located on the northeast cor- 
ner of Pine and Second streets. In 1880 he changed 
yhis location U) his present quarters, at first oc- 
cupying only the ground tlofir. He now has' three 
rooms on the ground tloor and two above, and is 
doing a thriving business. 

The marriage of Mr. Hesse and Miss Amelia 
Xabers occurred Aug. 9, 1870. Mrs. H. was born 
in Ft. Madison, and is the daughter of Theo- 




dore and Catharine Nabers, natives of Germany . 
Of this union three sons have been born — Bernard - 
B., Frank II. and .1. Clement. Mr. and Mrs. H. 
arc mcnii)ers in good standing of St. Joseph's 
Church, and in politics Mr. II. uniformly votes the 
Democratic ticket. 

Mr. Hesse is a striking example of what a 
young man of energy may accomplish. He started 
out without means and has arisen to his present 
position solely by his own exertions. He has a 
comfortable home and a good business and enjoys 
the confidence and esteem of his fellow -citizens. A 
view of the fine store vf Mr. Hesse is shown on an- 
other page. 



¥ 



^ f^ILLIAM BLOM, who is prosperously en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits in the city of 
Keokuk, deals in Hour, soaps and lye, hav- 
ing commenced a modest retail trade which has now 
developed into an extensive wholesale business, 
and is located at Nos. 27 and 29 Main street. Our 
subject was born in the village of Mydrecht, Hol- 
land, on the l.'ith of November, 1834. He at- 
tended school until eleven years of age, and re- 
mained in his native country until he was twenty- 
one, when lie boarded a sailing-vessel, accompa- 
nied by his p.irents, and after a prosperous voyage 
landed on the shores of the New World at the city 
of New Orleans. Thence the^' proceeded to St. 
Louis, Mo., and afterward to Keokuk, arriving here 
on the 17th of June, l.S;)7. The father of our sub- 
ject, Peter Bloni, followed a seafaring life, and was 
married to Miss Disked Vanderhelm ; both died in 
Keokuk. 

After arriving in this count}' William Blom be- 
gan sawing wood, carrying brick and mortar, and 
employed himself at whatever his hands could find 
to do. In due time he became a clerk in the store 
of C. Obertop, where he continued for twenty-two 
months, and then became yard man in the Patter- 
son House at $2 per week, being thus emploj'ed 
four mouths. He then became clerk in a retail 



SFPF 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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groceiy store at the same wages, and afterward en- 
gaged with Kellogg, Biegle ife Co. for the next 
three years. Notwithstanding these small wages 
he had now saved $80, which he invested in a soap 
factory, becoming a partner of the same, and at 
the death of the other member of the firm assumed 
full charge of the business. He operated this a 
number of j'ears, and in the meantime built a small 
grocery store, which afforded good headquarters 
for his soap business. He was soon obliged, to in- 
crease his facilities for manufacturing. In addition 
to his arduous labors at home, he was his own trav- 
eling salesman, and introduced his goods in vari- 
ous places, at the same time taking orders for hams 
and other meats for different firms. In this way 
i^radually worked into the provision business, 
and finally abandoned the retail grocery. He also 
engaged in pork packing, which he continued for 
several years, and which yielded him a handsome 
income. He purchased the building in which he 
now operates in 1881. It c(^vers an area of 40x70 
feet, is four stories in height with a basement, and 
he has added a smoke house with a capacity of 100,- 
000 pounds of meat. This enables him to smoke 
anj' ordinary amount of meat on short notice. In 
1870 Mr. Blom disposed of his soap factory to his 
brother Nicholas, by whom it is still conducted, 
.and the product of which our subject handles ex- 
tensively. 

Mr. Blom was married on the 3d of April, 1862, 
to Miss Carrie Teloft', of .Sweden. The}- have no 
children. Mr. and Mrs. Blom are worth3' members 
of the Chatham .Square Methodist Episcopal Church, 
■with which our subject has been connected for 
3c twenty years, and served as Trustee and Stevvard 
■ for the last fifteen, and Superintendent of the .Sab- 
; bath-school for five. He has also been a member of 
: the City Council. He was one of the originators 
; of the Mississippi River Rapids Bluff Pork Associa- 
;; tion, and is now Trustee and Treasurer. 
c The residence of Mr. Blom is a fine, substantial 
p structure located at No. 611 Grand avenue, where 
" he is surrounded by all the comforts of life, and en- 
joys, as a just reward of his labors, the fruits of 
early industry and economy. He provided wTih 
filial care for his parents during their lifetime, and 
enabled them to pass their declining days in peace 



and comfort. He has fulfilled all the obligations 
of a good citizen, and is held in the highest esteem 
by both social anfl liusiness acquaintances. 



— Jv- 



(a «l 




'if/ AMES H. DUFFUS, editor .and proprietor of 
the Ft. Madison Plaindea/cr, which he is 
conducting with signal ability and success, 
is a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and 
his birth occurred May 24, 1840. His father, 
James Duffus, was born in the same country as his 
son, in 1816, was reared upon a farm, and followed 
agricultural i)ursuits until 18.54. In April of that 
year he started with his famil}' for America. They 
set sail from Aberdeen, landing at (Quebec, thence 
proceeded directly to Ohio. They had relatives in 
Ashland County, and located there, remainiug, 
however, but one year. In the meantime Mr. 
Duffus had visited the Ilawkeye State, and being 
charmed with the appearance of the country, pui-- 
chased a farm in Union Township, Poweshiek 
County, and in April of the following year moved 
there with his family. He cultivated and improved 
his land and established a comfortable home. In 
1868, however, he sold out and removed to .Alal- 
com, the same county, and engaged in mercantile 
pursuits for one year. He then resumed farming 
upon another tract of land which he had purchased 
near Malcom, continuing there one year, then re- 
turned to M.alcom .and kept a public-house there 
for several years. He subsequently retired from 
active business, and is now living at Des Moines. 

When Mr. Duffus removed from Ohio to Iowa lie 
made the trip via railroad to Rock Island, thence 
by river to Davenport, and from there overland to 
Poweshiek Count}'. The land he purchased was 
totally unimproved, and he marketed grain and 
provisions to Iowa City, a distance of sixty miles, 
and in the winter seasons transported merchandise 
on his return trips. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Ann Auelimae; she was a native of the same 
country and shire as her husband. The family cir- 
cle included seven children, all of whom were born 
in Scotland, and of whom the record is as follows: 





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LEE COUNTY. 






Margaret liefiiiiie tlie wife of M. Daly, ami tliev 
live in Neligh. Neli. ; Jane married Maliloii Wol- 
verton, who was a soldier in (lie Mexican War and 
raised a company f<n' tiie late war, Imt was taken 
fatall}' ill and died at his home in Montezuma be- 
fore engaging in any scrviee; she was married the 
second time, to .1. W. I'ligli, who was a soldier of 
the I'nion, and died at his home in Malcom, Iowa; 
Elizabeth became the wife of A. M. Hardin, and 
lives in Deadwood, Dak; the sniiject of our sketch 
was the fourth child; Alexander lives in Des 
Moines; Mar}' A. married B. S. James, and is a 
resident of Buena Vista County, Iowa; Isabella be- 
came the wife of Marcus Green, and they live in 
Des Moines. 

James H. Duff us was a lad of nine years old 
when he came to America with his parents. He re- 
ceived his early education in the district schools and 
assisted in the lighter duties of the farm. During 
the progress of the late Civil AVar he became a 
soldier of the Union, enlisting in May, 18G4, in Co. 
B, 4Cth Iowa Vol. Inf., and served until the close 
of the war, receiving an honorable discharge. 

After his return from the army Mr. Duffus at- 
tended college at Grinnell, Iowa, and afterward 
taught school for several terms. In 1H()7 he started 
a harness-shop in Malcom, which, however, he op- 
erated for only a few months when he sold out, and 
the following year opened a drug-store in the same 
place, and was occupied with this for Ave years. In 
the meantime he established the Malcom Gazette, 
the lirst paper ever published there, and with the 
exce])tion of two years, conducted it for thirteen 
years. In the meantime he had also engaged in the 
sale of hardware and farm machinery. He disposed 
of his hardware interests in 1880, but continued his 
operations in agricultural implements and carriages. 
The tornado of 188-2 destroyed his storehouse and 
completely demolished two dwelling-houses which 
he owned. From this disaster he suffered "more 
than any one man in the State. He was the owner 
of the amphitheatre at the fair grounds, which was 
also destroyed, together with a fine business block. 

In 188;i Mr. Duffus disposed of his property in 
Malcom and removed to Des Moines, where he pur- 
chased a half interest in the Iowa Homestead, the 
agricultural paper of the State, and in October of 



the same year jjurchased the remaining interest. In 
January, l.s.si, lie purchased the loim Cnpital, a. 
daily and weekly pa[)er, and conducted it until the 
following year, when, on account of ill-health, he 
was obliged to abandon flie business and dispose 
of his interest in it. He then came to Ft. Madi- 
son, purchasing the Ft. Madison Academ}' property 
and a business block on Front street, corner of 
Pine, and at the same time also the Plaindealet; a 
daily and weekly publication. He now entered 
with energy upon the business of building up and 
improving his paper, and has been remarkably suc- 
cessful in his management of it, it having become 
one of the leading journals of this section. 

James II. Duffus and Miss Mary E. Carroll were 
united in marriage Feb. 1,5, 1870. Mrs. Duffus is 
a native of Ohio, born in Keene, Coshocton County, 
Aug. 24, 1851. Her father, George Carroll, was a 
native of Ireland, possessing the warm and enthu- 
siastic nature peculiar to the sons of Erin, and her 
mother, whose maiden name was Mary Barton, was 
also a native of Ireland, but of Scotch parentage. 
The}' were married in Ohio, and came to Iowa in 
1885, settling in Poweshiek County, where the 
father died the following January. Her mother 
was married the second time, to John Gwin, who is 
now deceased. Mrs. Mary Gwin still survives, and 
lives with her son in Poweshiek County. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Duffus have been 
born three children — Arietta O., Harry C. and Ma- 
rie Ethel. Mr. Duffus is a prominent member of the 
A. F. it A. M., having taken all the degrees from 
Blue Lodge to Consistor}'. He is also connected 
with the 1. O. O. F. and K. of P. In politics he 
uiiiforndy casts his vote with the Republican party. 

REDERICK LANG, dealer in general mer- 
chandise at Franklin Village, lias been a 
resident of the Hawkeye State since 1 850, 
and established his present business in l.S7.'5. By 
the exercise of energy and economy he has been 
successful, and enjoys in a marked degree the re- 
spect and confidence of his fellow-townsmen. Mr. 
Lang, was born in Rhine Province, Bavaria, May 
12, 1833. His father, A'aleutine Lang, was a farmer 





l^HHr'PKli 







LEE COUNTY. 



441 



ii 



l)y occupation, anrl passed his whole life h\ his na- 
tive land. 

Our subject remained with his parents until he 
was about eighteen years tild, and then, in com- 
pany with friends if the familj^, emigrated to the 
United States. After reaching the shores of the 
New World, they proceeded directly westward, 
crossed the Father of Waters, and located in Lee 
County, coming into Franklin Township in the fall 
of 1850. Here young Lang was engaged in farm- 
ing for the following three years, and then became 
an engineer. He was thus occupied for several 
years, and during this time gained valuable knowl- 
edge in respect to the transaction of business. He 
then established his present store, in which he has 
since been engaged. He carries a good stock and 
has made a comfortable living, although the busi- 
ness is such that there is not much of a field for en- 
larging it. 

Mr. Lang was married in Franklin Township, Dec. 
29, 185G, to Miss Katie Armkneeth. Mrs. Lang 
is a native of the same country as her husband, 
having been born in Bavaria, May 7, 1837. She 
came to the United States with her parents when a 
young girl. Her father was a farmer, and they 
settled in Franklin Township, afterward removing 
to the village, where the mother died in 1883. Her 
father is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Lang li.ave be- 
come the parents of two children : Mary F., the 
wife of Phillip Seyb, resides on a farm with her 
husband, in Franklin; Katie is the wife of Chris 
Trump, the Deputy Sheriff of Ft. Madison. 

Mr. Lang is highly esteemed in his community, 
and he and his excellent lady are members in good 
standing of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He 
has held the minor offices of his township, and is 
always interested in m.atters pertaining to the pub- 
lie welfare. In politics he is strongly Democratic. 

^ONAS W. GOODRICFL one of the honored 
pioneers of Lee Count}', comes of good old 
New Jersey stock, his ancestry for many 
generations having homes in the northeast- 
ern portion of the United States. They were mostly 
farmers by occupation, and during long, honorable 



and peaceful lives built up for themselves a reputa- 
tion in that sectit)n second to none of any family 
in the country. The paternal grandfather of our 
subject, Sheldon fJoodrich, was a very early settler 
of Auburn, N. Y., where he spent the greater jjart 
of his life, and died in the ninety-eighth year of his 
age. He was a carpenter by trade, married in 
early life, and he and his good wife lived to be a 
mutual comfort .and support to each other for the 
space of over half a century, the wife attaining to 
the same advanced .age as her husband. Their son, 
Sheldon, the father of our subject, w.as a native of 
New Jersey, of Scottish descent. 

Sheldon Goodrich remained in his native State 
until he became a j'oung man, and then went to Caj'- 
uga County, N. Y., where he was married to Miss 
Phoebe Ward, whose history is connected with one 
of the first families of New England. Her father 
removed from New Jersey to N;w York at an 
early period in the history of the latter State, and 
secured 640 acres of land in Cayuga County, which 
he improved and cultivated, and at his death gave 
to each of his children a good farm.- He had only 
one son, Hiram, who was a private in the AVar of 
1812. The family had been prominent in the 
political questions of that period, and were well 
known in social and wealthy circles. 

The parents of our subject were born in 1777, 
and were reared and married in Cayuga County, 
N. Y. The}' were stricken down in the prime of 
life, the mother dj'ing at the age of thirty-six, and 
the father in 1803, when his son, the subject of this 
history, was a child two years of age. Sheldon 
Goodrich was a skilled mechanic, a carpenter by 
trade, and highly esteemed for his many manly and 
social qualities. 

Jonas W. Goodrich of this sketch was born M.ay 
20, 1801, and after the death of his father was 
taken to live at the home of his uncle. Smith Ward. 
This gentleman was [irominent in business and poli- 
tics, and held manj' of the offices in his locality. 
He was a wide-awake business man, and when quite 
young became an extensive contractor on the Wel- 
land Canal, being the first to take the contract of 
that portion of the canal known as the " deep cut." 
Young Goodrich was soon initiated int(j business 
methods and proved a very apt pupil, ^\■hile still 



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under age he was trusted to superintend the work 
for his uncle, sometimes having chnige of more 
than 200 men. He devoted some of his time to 
farming in Seneca County, N. Y., from which he 
afterward removed to Lyons, Wayne County, and 
while there, at the age of twenty-seven years, was 
married to ^liss Eliza l)cth Ely, of the latter-named 
county. After their marriage Mr. O. ojjened a 
store in Lyons on the banks of the Erie Canal, and 
was engaged in a grocery trade and general com- 
mission business, also operating extensively in 
grain. He remained here for thirty years and 
accumulated quite a little fortune. 

In 1846 Mr. Goodrich sold out his business in 
L^'ons .and t<]()k a contract on the New York & Erie 
Kailroad; then .sold his interest in that, and in 1847 
took a contract on the Erie Canal, after the com- 
pletion of which, in 1852, he started for the West 
and made his first stopping-place at Centralia, 111. 
There he contracted with David Brigham & Robert 
Law, now of Chicago, to build forty-four miles of the 
Illinois Central Railroad running through the south- 
ern portion of the State. After the completion of this, 
in 1 855, he cro.ssed the Mississippi and came into 
Keokuk, Iowa, where he engaged in real estate busi- 
ness for the following four years. This was a period 
when speculation ran high, and many n man parted 
with a greater part of his possessions. Mr. (lood- 
rich, however, passed safely through, and if he did 
not gain iihicIi, was satisfied to know that he had 
not lost. 

In IMo',) Mr. (ioodrich removed from Keokuk 
and settled upon a farm in .Jefferson Township 
which has remained his home since that time. It 
includes 240 acres of valuable land which is all im- 
proved, and he also owns 200 acres on the Des 
Moines River, in this county. His wife, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Goodrich, departed this life on the 9th 
of Novemlier, 1839, leaving two children, one of 
whom, Melvin, died in Keokuk in 18()8: Smith E. 
now lives in C'orry, Pa. 

Mr. Goodrich was married the second time at 

Lyons, N. Y., to Miss Sarah Veaumont, a lady of 

Sg English parentage, and of this mari-iage there were 

born eight cliildren, four of whom are deceased; 

the living are Elliot, Mary A., Willard and Charles. 

fiwSmThe latter operates his father's farm. The family 




oecupj' a comfortable farm dwelling and are sur- 
rounded by all the comforts and many of the lux- 
uries of life. Mr. Goodrich has been prominently 
identified with the affairs of his community, and 
has always been willing to contilbute of his time 
and means for the promotion of every worthj' 
object. He has held the odicc of Toivnship Super- 
visor for five years and also other import.ant posi- 
tions in this locality. He is an uncompromising 
Jacksoni.nn Democrat, and in all resix'cts an honest 
man and a good citizen. 

The character of Mr. (Joodrich <as a pioneer, 
prominent citizen and public man, is such as to 
demand his portrait in this Aiium, and accordingly 
it is here given, as a most appropriate .accompani- 
ment to this brief sketch. 



^p«) DWARD JOHNSTONE, of Ke 
l^ was born in Kingston, on the 
't'—^/ Westmoreland Co., I'a, July 4, 




^ DWARD JOHNSTONE, of Keokuk, Iowa. 

Loyalhanna. 
1815. Tlir 

paternal ancestors of our subject w-ere originally 
from Annandale, Scotland, and the first of his ini- 
medi.ite family who immigrated to Ireland was Rob- 
ert Johnstone. This was in the reign of Queen Anne, 
or King William. The name was always spelled in 
Scotland with a final " e," but in Ireland, as time 
passed, it was gradually dropped, though sometimes 
retained. Alexander Johnstone, the father of thf 
subject of this notice, was born in Country Kerman- 
augh, Ireland, in .Inly, 1772. an<l immigrated to 
the United States with the intention of making il 
his future home, in 179G. Our svibject's mother, 
Elizabeth Ereanic, was born in Franklin County, 
Pa., in November, 1781, and Imth of her parents 
were from the North of Ireland. 

The parental family of our subject included ten 
sons and two daughters. The two eldest sons were 
educated at AVe.st Point, and served in the regular 
army; another son, William F. Johnstone, was the 
third Governor of Pennsylvania, under the con- 
stitution of 1838; another son. James Johnstone, a 
scholar and poet, served through the Mexican 
War, and was one of the first literar}' men of West- 
ern Pennsylvania ; Col. John W. Johnstone, another 
brother, served as a Captain of infantrj' through 



i 



the Mexican War, and in the late Civil War was 
nj 5 Colonel of the 14th Regiment, three mouths' Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, and Lieutenant Colonel and 
}|jS Colonel of the 93d Regiment, of the three years' 
M service. The youngest son in the family, Richard, 
j;§ was a volunteer in the Mexican AVar. Before the 
close of the war he was appointed a Lieutenant in 
the regular army, and was killed at the head of his 
company, while storming the enem^^'s works, at the 
C battle of Molino del Rey. 

The physical stature of the brothers of our sub- 
ject was remarkable, varying in height from six feet 
to six feet four inches, and in weight from 200 to 
:§ 250 pounds. The father, Alexander Johnstone, lived 
igfar beyond the period allotted to man, dying July 
15, 1872, in the one hundredth j'ear of his age. At 
the time of his death he was the oldest Free Mason 
in the United States, having been initiated sevent}' 
years previous to his demise, in Ireland. 

The publie life of Edward Johnstone is almost 

; contemporary with the settlement of Iowa. Before 

Iowa was a State, or even a Territory separated 

j from Wisconsin, he began his career at the capital, 

and for more than a third of a century has been 

; intimately connected with the progress of the 

: country. Of his influence in his own immediate 

county and city it is hardly necessary for us to 

; speak, as his character and talents are so well 

3 known, and his qualities displayed in social life 

; are no less familiar to his fellow-citizens. In early 

< manhood he studied law in Greensburg, his native 

; State, and in 1837 was admitted to the bar. During 

that same year he moved West, locating at Mineial 

; Point, Wis., where he remained only during that 

fall. He then went to Burlington, Iowa, and served 

i£ as Clerk in the Territorial Legislature during the 

session of 1837-38. During that time he was also 

; appointed one of the three commissioners to collect 

■ testimony- with regard to the titles to the half-breed 

• land, and report the same to the district court. To 

|p facilitate the performance of this duty, he moved to 

in 

is Montrose in the spring of 1838, and there remained 

I until January, 1839. He then went to Ft .Madison, 

- having been employed by the St. Louis claimants 

of half-breed land, and instituted proceedings in 

connection with Gen. Hugh T. Reid for the division 

of said land, which resulted in the "Decree Title" 



trU 



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by which the lands are now held. In the summer 
of 1839 Mr. Johnstone was elected to the Legis- 
lature, and for two successive terms was Speaker of 
the House. In 1 840 he was elected to the Council, 
and was United States District Attorney under 
President Polk's administration. 

In 1851 Mr. Johnstone was elected Judge of Lee 
County, and served in that capacity for four years. 
He was elected to the Constitutional Convention 
in 1857, on the same ticket with Col. William Pat- 
terson, and took a prominent part in the delibera- 
tions of that body. In 18G8 Judge Johnstone re- 
moved to Keokuk, where he took charge, as cashier, 
of the Keokuk Savings Bank, in which position he 
still remains. As a financier, he possesses a high 
order of talent, as his success in business for the 
last twenty years abundantly shows. He is carefid 
and accurate in his judgment, and has a habit of 
looking at a subject thoroughly and on all sides. 
As a lawyer and statesman he displays more than 
ordinary abilitj'. He has never been what may be 
termed an off-hand speaker, either in court or 
the Legislature. He is naturally too cautious to 
allow himself to rush into speechmaking unprepared. 
Hence his speeches always evince thorough prepara- 
tion and a comprehensive knowledge of his subject, 
and often blaze and sparkle with the rhetorical 
flights of eloquence. Being a man of literary 
culture and extensive reading, his speeches and 
pleas have often been garnished with gems of 
imagination and quotations from poets. Judge 
Johnstone has always responded liberally to the 
many and oft repeated calls for charity, and what- 
ever is calculated to improve the city in which he 
lives, or for the good of the people, our subject is 
always found among those championing that cause. 

Judge Johnstone is a man of stalwart proportions, 
being six feet four inches in height, and weighs 250 
pounds, and has not varied ten pounds from the 
weight mentioned during the last twenty years. His 
stature and appearance would single him out among 
a thousand as a man of mark. In manners and con- 
versation he is one of the most affalile and friendly 
of men, carrying in his beaming countenance the 
insignia of a warm and genial nature. He is a good 
writer, clear, forcible and fluent, and has a faculty 
for making and holding friends, which is most re- 



apyp'q 



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gcixgjr^ iBH Tri r?'» nii ii u T"»;g 



HO 444 






LEE COUNTV. 




iinli! 



niai-kable. This is known by the friendship of the 
people for liiin, notwitiistaniling the litigations in- 
volving their interests, in which he has so long and 
often been eugaj>:e<l. Throiiiih all the coniplieations 
and dillieulties res[)ecting the half-breed lands, in 
which he took, from the first, a leading part, he 
seems never to have incurred the ill-will of the 
people; but, on the contrary, pursued such a course 
as to preserve their friendship, and ni:ike them warm 
supporters of him at the polls. 

Judge . Johnstone was married to Miss Elizabeth 
\'. Uicliards, in Ai>ril, l>i4;i, in St. Louis County, 
Mo., and of this union four children are yet living, 
namely, Alexander Edward, Mar3' JNIillburn, Ed- 
ward Richards and Hugo Richards, all of whom are 
residing in Keokuk. 

♦.J»S>-J»!^ *^)^■«5<-.<5<f- 
^:NRY R. ALTER, deceased, was one of the 
most wealthy and successful farmers of 
West Point Township, and uuiversall}- re- 
spected for his honest and upright character 
and straightforward dealings with his fellow-men. 
lie was a native of Washington County, Pa., his 
3=1 birth occuiTing Jan. 20, ISlo, and was the second 
son and fifth child of llenrj- and Elizabeth (Rein- 
hard) Alter, who were of German parentage and 
aucestrj'. His mother died at the age of forty-nine 
years, in 1835: his father was married a second 
time. ;ind departed this life in Tuscarawas County, 
Ohio. 

Li 1840 Mr. Alter removed from the place of 
his birth into Beaver Count}-, Pa., where he became 
ipiite extensively engaged in the oil business, but 
liaviug ;iu opportunity to dispose of his interests 
at a good jjrofit, he sold out and resolved to seek a 
home beyond the Mississiiipi. It was not until 
1865, however, that lie finally established himself 
in Lee County. He purchased a good farm in West 
Point Township, and subsequently became the pro- 
l>i-ietor of 800 acres, most of which lie on section 3. 
It is nearl_y all jirairie laud, and the greater part of 
g|it improved. Mr. Alter was remarkably successful 
in his agricultural pursuits, and during the latter 
|):irt of his life was extensively engaged in the buy- 
ing and selling of cattle. 



iniii 
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The subject of our sketch, in early manhood, 
was iii;uried to Miss Elizabeth Weirich, ami <)f this 
union lliere were born two children — Henry II. 
and Frances E. The mother of these children died 
in 1.S41. She was of (German descent, and was 
reared and educated in AVashington County, Pa. 
In 1842 Mr. Alter was married a .second time, to 
Miss Marj- Anna Ilazen, of Beaver County, Pa. 
Of this marriage there were born six children, one 
of whom, Samuel II., is deceased. The living are 
Christmas E.. Eliza A. and Luzetta (twins), Jo- 
sephus and David R. The mother of these cliildreu 
died in Reaver Countj', Nov. 10, 18o9. 

Mr. Alter was married the third time, to Mrs. 
Nancy (Dean) McCreary, daughter of Noah and 
Elizabeth (Emery) Uean, natives respectively of 
Huntingdon and Mercer Counties, Pa. They spent 
their entire lives on a farm, and died in Pennsyl- 
vania, in that part of Lawrence County which was 
formerly a part of Mercer Count}'. The father de- 
parted this life in 1 870, at the age of sixty -six years ; 
the mother survived him fourteen years, dying on 
the 7th of October, 1884, at the advanced age of 
over eight3'-three years. Thej- were most worthy 
and excellent people, highly esteemed in their 
c(jmmunity, and were prominently connected with 
the Baptist Church, Mr. Dean was a very suc- 
cessful man in his .agricultural and l)nsiness pursuits, 
and accumulated a large property. He was a solid 
Republican politically, a nian of great foi'ce of 
character, and used his influence in support of 
whatever he believed the truth and right. 

Mrs. Nancy Alter was born ujion the homestead 
of her parents in what is now Lawrence County, 
Pa., Ma3' 12, 1832. She received a good educatitm 
in tlie public schools and remained with her parents 
until she was \uiited in marriage with Mr. I'earson 
McCrear^-, who died in Lawrence County, leaving 
his widow with two children, one of wliom, William 
N., is now deceased. The other son, Willis P., was 
married to Aliss Mary B. Green, and is practicing 
law in Hastings, Neb. She was united in mar- 
ri.age with .Mr. Alter Oct. 6, 18.51). and by this last 
union became the mother of five children, of whom 
the record is as follows: Lizzie A. is the wife of 
Fred Davis, and they live near Earned, Kan., on a 
farm, tliey are both semi-nuites — they can talk but 



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are deaf; Mr. Davis lost his hearing at the age of 
seven years from scarlet fever; his wife became 
(leaf at the age of five years from spotted fever. 
They were both well educated at the Ucaf and 
Dumb Institute at Iowa City and were also in the 
school at Council Bluffs. Elmer T. is married to 
Nettie L. Martin, and manages the homestead for his 
mother. Emma L. and Eva L., twins, are flnel3' 
educated and reside at home; Minnie R. is attend- 
ing .school at Danville, Iowa. Mr. Alter was killed 
by a horse on the 20th of August, 1885. 

A large part of the members of the family are 
connected with the Baptist Church, and are well 
known thioughout Lee County, and held in the 
highest esteem. They occupy a fine dwelling, and 
the land is supplied with all the appliances for car- 
rying on agriculture in a first-class manner. It is 
beautifully located, and forms one of the pleasantest 
spots in the landscape of Lee County. 



^^^ 



ylLLIAM T. HUMES was born in Washing- 
ton County, Pa., June 18, 1834. lie en- 
joj-ed the advantages of a good common- 
sciiool education and remained in his native State 
until twent}' years of age, when he drifted west- 
ward, first coming to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where 
he was employed as a salesman in the store of 
Babbitt & Ross, and subsequently in the registry 
department of the Government Land-OtHce. He 
then took a trip through the territories of Nevada, 
Oregon, New Mexico and Central America, and 
finallj' returned to Iowa. 




ENDLETON BURTON MARCEV, de- 
ceased, was a highly esteemed resident of 
Ft. JIadison, and departed tliis life Nov. 
1."), 1.S81, deeply lamented by all who had 
enjoyed the honor of his fricndsliiii and acquaint- 
ance, for he had fuUilled all the obligations of a 
good citizen. The sul)ject of this notice was burn 
in Washington, D. C, April 2.s, 1812. lllsfatiicr, 
Thomas Marcey, was a native of .ALaryland,and en- 
gaged the greater part of his life as a contr.actor 



and builder. He removed from his native town to 
Washington when the latter was an embryo city, [i 
and purchased property within the corporate limits. 
He also secured possession of a farm seven miles 
out, and transacted with ability the joint busiuessesp 
of farmer, contractor and builder, until he retired J 
from active labor, at an advanced age. He lived 
to see remarkable changes transpiring around him,'^ 
and folded his liands for his final rest In the capi- 
tal city, where his remains are buried. The maiden 
name of his wife was Elizabeth Richie, and they 
became the parents of seven children, of whom the 
subject of our sketch was the j'oungest. 

Pendleton B. Marcey was reared by his i»arents, 
and received a fair education in the common 
schools. In earl^- life lie learned the cabinet-mak- 
er's trade in Washington, and lived there until 
1831, when he went to Wheeling, W. Va., worked 
as a journeyman for two years, then proceeded to 
Columbus, Ohio, and snccessfuUy engaged in the 
furniture business on his own account for the fol- 
lowing nine years. In 1842, hearing much of the 
glowing reports that came from the country be- 
yond the Mississippi, he concluded to emigrate 
thither. He accordingly started via canal to Ports- 
mouth, and thence on the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers to Ft. Madison, which journey consumed 
one month's time. He arrived here in the fall of 
the year before mentioned, first opened a furniture 
store, and after a few years engaged in the dry- 
goods business. In 1.S59 Mr. Marcey went into 
Davis County, Iowa, and, in company with Mr. 
Deake, laid out the town of Deakesvllle, and remov- 
ing his stock of goods thither, added to it such ar- 
ticles as were necessary, and established a store, 
which he operated for about eight years continu- 
ously. Then, on account of failing health, he re- 
turned to Ft. Madison and lived In retirement un- 
til his death. 

Pendleton lUuton Marcey and Mrs. Jane Jones 
were united in marriage March 7, 1830. Mrs. Mar- 
cey was born in Belmont County, W. ^'a. Her fa- 
ther, John Jamieson, was of Irish birth and parent- 
age, and came to America when a youth, .settling 
in Virginia, and was engaged in farming i)ursuits 
until his death. He w;is inairied in early manhood 
to Miss Ann Overtush. a laily wiiose birthplace 




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446 



LEE COUNTY. 



was Holland, and who came over to this country 
when a small child. 

Mrs. Marcey, when a iiijuden of sixteen years, was 
united in marriage with John Jones, a native of 
Bristol, Wales, who died of yellow fever a short 
time after their marriage. Of this union there was 
born one child, Mary, who is now the wife of 
John Beard, and lives in Carthage, Mo. Mrs. Mar- 
cey is a prominent member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, of Ft. Madison, and owns and occu- 
pies a pleasant home on Fifth street. She is a lady 
of many excellent traits of character, and is highly 
esteemed in the communitj- where she has so long- 
been a resident. 



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f] AMES KENNEDY, a highly respected citi- 
zen of Cedar Township, occupies the posi- 
tion of Assessor, and in this, as well as other 
duties pertaining to a good citizen, is fulfill- 
ing his obligations with credit and fidelity. Mr. K. 
was born in Marion Township, Lee Co., Iowa, 
April 1 2, 1 f<44, and is the son of Josiah and Julia 
Kennedy. He was but two wcelvs old wiien iiis pa- 
rents came to Cedar Township, and he has been a 
resident hero since that time. He received careful 
liome training and a fair education in the subscrip- 
tion schools. Tiie youthful students of those days pe- 
rused their l)ooks and recited their lessons under 
the instruction of a teai-iier in a private house, and 
our subject, in common witii most of tiie boys of 
that pericjd and section of country, was carefully 
trained to liabits of industry and economy, and 
when not engaged at his lessons, assisted his par- 
ents in the duties around tiie homestead. At the 
close of iiis primary course of study lie entered 
Howe's Seminary at Mt. Pleasant, and emerged 
from tliis institution prepared to talve up the duties 
of a pedagogue. 

At this period, the Civil War being in progress, 
our subject only taught a few terms, and then en- 
listed as a soldier in Co. E, 4.itli Iowa \ol. Inf., 
;ind was soon thereafter made Orderly Sergeant. 
He then received a recruiting commission from 
(ien. Balier, and raised a company of tliirly-one 
men, liim.^elf c'nli>tiug as a private willi Uieni. 



The3^ were attached to the 16th Army Corps and 

operated mostly in the Southwest. The regiment 
was discharged at Keokuk in September, lf(G4, Mr. 
Kennedy returning home in ill-health, and was un- 
fitted for .active labor for several montlis afterward. 
In the spring of the following year he engaged in 
farming, and in 1870 located upon the homestead 
which he now owns and occupies, on section 29, 
adjoining his father's farm in Cedar Township. 

The marriage of James Kennedj' and Miss Eliza 
E. Dawson was celebrated on Julj' 4, 1872. Mrs. 
K. is a native of Lee County, born at Summitville, 
and the daughter of Pej'ton and Ellen (^Stoddard) 
Dawson, who settled in Lee County at an early ; a 
day. Of this union there have been born seven ; 
children — May, Bessie, Jessie, Viola, AVillie, James ; 
and Dwight. Mr. Kennedy is Republican in politics, E 
has served fifteen 3'ears as Assessor of his town- ; 
ship, is President of the District School Board, and t 
for long years has been a iirominent man in tiie nf- £ 
fairs of his community. 



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^ OSEPH UOANE, a resident of Cedar Town 
ship, has contributed his full quota toward the ^^ 
development of the resources of the Hawk- 
eye State. He was born in Orange Count}", 
Ind., March 27, 1820, and is a descendant of Joseph 
Doane, a native of England, who came to America 
with the Peun Colony, settling in Pennsylvania in 
the colonial days. David Doane, the father of our || 
subject, grew to manhood in his native State, North 
Carolina, whither his i)arents had removed before 
his birth, and at the age of twenty-one years ap- 
prenticed himself to learn the trade of fuller. He 
served for two years, and wlien his parents removed 
to Indiana he accompanied them. He had no means Bj 
of his own, and engaged at whatever employment c; 
he could procure, sometimes as a carpenter, and at ^ 
other times at his former trade. He saved what- 
ever he could of his earnings, so tliat in the course hf 
of time lie was enabled to put up a small fulling 
mill, wiiii'li lie operated for a few years, and then SiiK 
built another and a hiryer one at I'aoli, the county ah 

S-'i 

seal of Orange County, which lie operated two sea- ii\ 
sons, and then solil out and purchased a tract of;;;i 



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LEE COUNTY 



timber land at White Lick. Here he erected a 
hewed-lt)" house, and was alternatelj' employed at 
the carpenter's trade, inillwrighting and the im- 
provement uf his hiiu). lie built a number uf card- 
ing-mills in that county, and in the course of time, 
with the assistance of his sons, had 120 acres of his 
land under o()od cultivation. 

David Doanc remained in possession oi the above 
property until 1)->4(I, in the meantime having- visited 
tiie Territory of Iowa, and decided upon locating 
in that State. His first visit was in I.s-iS, when he 
came into Lee County, and entered lliO acres of 
land in Cedar Township, on section 1.5, wiiere, in 
18.50, he permanently settled, and remained until 
his death in 18G2. In earl>' manhood he was united 
in marriage with iliss Knth Atkinson, who remained 
his faithful companion through all his labors, and 
survived hini for a period of thirteen j'ears, de- 
parting this life in Iowa, in 1875. The3' were the 
parents of fourteen children, of whom the subject 
of our sketch was the first-born. 

Joseph Doaue was reared in Morgan County, 
Ind., remaining under the parental roof until he 
had attained to years of manhood. He received 
careful training at the hands of his parents, and a 
good education in the district schools, from which 
he graduated at an earlj' age, and began to assist 
his parents in the duties on the farm. He remained 
with them until his marriage, and then took a part 
of the farm which was unimproved and began to 
clear and cultivate it. He subsequently purchased 
ten acres of his father, upon which stood a hewed- 
log house, which he occupied for a number of 
years, and then resolved to cross the Mississippi 
and seek his fortunes further westward. He came 
into Iowa in 1848, the journej- l)eing made over- 
laud with three horses and a wagon. They were 
equipped with their household goods and cooking 
utensils, and camped b}' the wayside. After com- 
ing into Lee Countj* he moved his family' into a 
rented cabin. He was soon afterward taken ill, and 
remained disabled during all that winter. In the 
meantime his funds were nearly exhausted, and he 
was forced to abandon his plans for the purchase 
and improvement of a farm. He cultivated rented 
land for five years thereafter, in the meantime 
working at his trade as a carpenter and for his 



neighbors at harvesting. His first purchase was the 
north oue-half of section 1.5, which he improved 
and still owns. In 1873 he removed to his father's 
old home, which he has occupied since that time, 
having purchased the interest of the other heirs. r 

The marriage of .Joseph Doaue and Miss Rebecca i 
HauHuer took place Dee. -i, 1840. Mrs. D. is a na- 
tive of Highland County, Ohio, born Jan. 1.5, 1821. 
Her father, .Jonathan Hammer, was a native of 
Tennessee, and removed from his native- State to 
Ohio at an early day. He afterward went to Ham- 
ilton County, Ind., where he and his wife spent the 
remainder of their daj's. 

Mr. and Mrs. Doaue have become the parents of 
the following-named children : Matilda is the wife 
of .Jeremiah Oj'ler, and lives in Gentry Countj', 
Mo.; Susanna, Mrs. Collins, lives in Grundj- 
Count}', Mo.; J. Franklin was the next in order of 
birth; Jane became the wife of Thomas Henry, of 
Gentrj' County, Mo., and Joseph is a resident of 
Cedar Township; Lydia married David Hixon, and 
is now deceased; Levi died at the age of twenty- 
four 3'ears; Thomlis at eighteen, and Amos at 
twenty-one. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Doane are 
connected with the Society- of Friends, and in poli 
tics Mr. D. is a stanch Republican. He is a sup 
porter of temperance and good order, and is fulfill 
ing his various obligations in life as becomes a wise 
father, a judicious friend and a good citizen. 



;^5'^«-ii)ll>-te>^ 




=^ AMUEL DOYLE, Jr., a native of the 
Prairie State, is one of the prominent rep- 
resentatives of the Ft. Madison lumber in- 
terests, and is successfully engaged in a 
prosperous and increasing- business. Mr. Doyle was 
born in Plymouth, Hancock Co., 111., Aug. 25, 1841. 
He was educated in the public schools of Cincin- 
nati and Dayton, Ohio, as his parents resided in 
these cities during his boyhood. In 18;57 he came 
with the family to Ft. Madison, and so(m became 
engaged as clerk in a grocery store. He was an 
ambitious and enterprising young man, strictly 
honest, and made friends among the best class of 
people wherever he wei't. 

In l.'^lil Mr. Doyle enlisted a.- a >oldier of the 
L niuu in Co. K, 19th Iowa \'ol, Inf., but wa> re- 




tii 






jectcd \>y the exiuniniiig Ijoiud of pliysicians. He 
was determined, lunvevcr, to serve his country in 
some capiicity during the wsir, :ind accordingly en- 
tered tiie employ of the (jovcrnment as carpenter, 
working several niontlis at Nashville, Tenn. llis 
health failed, however, and (ihysicians advised him 
to return North. There was no other course for 
him to pursue, so lie returned to Iowa, and liecorn- 
ing a member of the firm of George L. Coleman k 
Co., engaged with them in the grain business. 
They were also agents for steamboat lines and rail- 
road companies, ami the firm continued their oper- 
ations until 18G9, when they disolved partnership, 
and Samuel Doyle became book-keeper for the firm 
of Soule, Davis & Co., with whom he remained one 
yeas. He then returned to the grain trade, and 
three years later engaged with a lumber company 
as book-keeper and traveling salesman, for the firm 
of John AVilson and S. & J. C. Atlee, with whom 
he continued until 187.5. He then became book- 
keeper for Weston & Co., and in 1878 was ap- 
pointed Superintendent of the business. 

In liSHl the Ft. Madison Lumber Company was 
incorporated, Mr. Doyle taking$10,000 stock there- 
in. He was also chosen Secretary and Treasurer of 
the company, and has been (5eneral Superintendent 
of the business since that time. The company now 
has a capital stock of «!i:!0,00(). In 1883 Mr. Doyle 
|iurchased the sawmill property on the levee, which 
he lebuiltata cost of $22,000, and equipped with all 
necessarj^ machinery, its cajjacity being 40,000 feet 
of lumber, 100,000 shingles and 20,000 l.-ith daily. 

The marriage of Samuel Doyle and Miss Jennie 
H. Bates took place in January, 1807. She lived 
onl}' two and a half years after her marriage, her 
death occurring July 23, 1801). Mr. Doyle was 
married a second time, to Miss Sierra Nevada, 
daughter of John Wilson, Oct. 2, 1872. This lady 
died Oct. 7, 188;), leaving one son, Charles S. She 
was an earnest Christian, and from the date of her 
marriage to the Sabbath prior to her death sang 
in the choir of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Doyle is also a member of the same church, having 
been connected with it for over twenty years. He 
has been a teacher in the prison Sabbath-school 
since its organization, and was for ten years its As- 
sistant Superintendent. 



Mr. D. has contributed liberidly and cheerfully 
to every good work and purpose in his community, 
and is one of its most liighly esteemed citizens. 
Espeeiallj' has he materially aided the industrial in- 
terests of Lee County by the erection of his mills 
and the giving of eniplo3inent to those who needed 
it. In this respect he i>as been one of the most 
valued factors in the business circles of Ft. Mad- 
ison. 

eHAKI^ES STAHL, a respected citizen of 
Keokuk, is successfully conducting the busi- 
ness of a meat-market at No. 1020 Main 
street, and is a line representative of that enterpris- 
ing German element which has so largely entered 
into the industrial interests of the West. Mr. Stahl 
was born in Germany Feb. 3, 1842, and is the son 
of Peter and Catharine (Schumacher) Stahl, of 
German ancestry and nativitj'. Peter Stahl was 
a farmer by occupation, and also engaged largely 
in the manufacture and sale of fine wines. He was 
a prominent man in his native country, and for a 
period of years was an official of the Empire and 
collector for the King. He spent his entire life in 
his native land, and died in 1880, aged seventy -nine 
years. His faithful wife and the mother of his 
children preceded him to the unknown country 
thirty-four years, her death occurring in 1840. 
They were the parents of four children, of whom 
the i-ecord is as follows: Barbara, Mrs. Dull, lives 
in Germany; Joseph also remains in his native 
land ; our subject and Catharine came to the United 
States, and she is a Sister in the Convent of Syra- 
cuse, N. Y. 

Charles Stahl^ ctniforming to the customs and 
laws of his native country', commenced to attend 
the public schools at the early age of six years, and 
remained as a pupil continuously for eight years 
afterward. lie was .an ambitious and studious boy, 
and for four years after leaving the day schools, 
pursued his studies evenings and Sundays, and 
was employed by his father on the homestead until 
he attained his majority. He then went into the 
arm}', serving .as a soldier for six years, and was 
promoted Corporal. 

After leaving the army, in ISO.s, Mr. Stahl de- 



tji-n 



■^•^ rlcl'dj^i 







termined to seek his fortunes in the New World, 
lie aecordinglj^ set sail from Bremen, and after a 
prosperous voyage, lauded in New York City, 
wheuee he went to Williamsburg, and soon after- 
ij 3 ward proceeded westward, crossed the Mississippi, 
and came into Keokuk. He worked for a short 
time as a butcher, and in the fall of 1871 went into 
))usiness for himself, and has continued until the 
present time. He is skillful in his operations as a 
butcher, and transacts his business in a straightfor- 
ward manner. He is Democratic in politics, and is 
held in high respect by his fellow-townsmen. 

Mr. Staiil was married in 1869 to Miss Helena 
Korz, a native of the Fatherland, who came to the 
United States in 1868. Of their union have been 
born live children — George, Albert, Louisa, Josie 
and Pauline. They occupy a comfortable home, 
and have gathered around tliem a large circle of 



friends. 



^-^^^^^^^^^7<^^- 




B. NEWBERRY is a fine representative 
of the pioneer element of the Hawkeye 
Hi .State, who came here at an early day 
and assisted, with others, in opening the 
wa^' for a grand civilization. He has seen great 
changes in his time, and his experiences would fill 
a volume. He has contributed largely to the 
growth and development of this section of country, 
and is regarded with that peculiar veneration and 
respect which is accorded the little band of pioneers 
who are now fast passing away. 

Mr. Newberry settled in Des Moines Township 
in 1838, making his first location on section 5, upon 
which he has remained since tliat time. He is a 
native of Orange County, N. Y., b(jrn March 1, 
1810. His father, James A. Newberry, was a native 
of the same State and county, and engaged all his 
life in agricultural pursuits. He- was married in 
early manhood to Miss Mary Smith, whu, like iier 
luisband, was born and reared in New York State. 
Both families came of excellent stock, and were 
early settlers of the Empire State. Their marriage 
was celebrated in Orange Count}', and they became 
the parents of four children, tlie subject of our 
sketch being tiie tinrd in order uf birtli. 

A. I). Xewl)erry ivas a child of only five years of 



age when his parents left their native State and 
county, and went into Pennsylvania. There another 
child was born, and subsequently the family re- 
moved to Lorain Countj', Ohio, wiiere they lived 
for a few years, thence turned their faces westward, 
crossed the Mississippi, went into Mis.souri, and(}|J 
located in Clay County, on a tract of new and un 
improved land. They remained there for only two 
years, removing to Caldwell County, the same Jl 
State, where they located upon another new farm, 
and from there removed into Iowa, and located 
upon the land which now constitutes the family 
homestead. Here the children were reared to years 
of maturity', and the father afterward went to Mills 
County, Iowa, where he died in 1883, at the age of 
ninety years. In 1838 tiie family made their home 
in Hancock County, 111., and there the mother de- 
parted this life at an advanced age, in 1842. 

After becoming of age, the subject of our sketch 
began farming operations on his own account. He 
was married in this township, on New Year's Day, 
1842, to Miss Eliza Duty, a native of Newbury, 
Vt., who was born Oct. 24, 1824. She came with 
her parents to Iowa in about 1839, and they located 
in Des Moines Township. The name of her father 
was Israel Duty, and the name of her mother, 
Mehitable Saw3'er. They were both natives of 
Vermont, and became very successful in their farm- 
ing operations in the West. The father died in 
Missouri, near Peaksville. and the nn)ther is still 
living at the age of ninety years. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Newberry have 
been born three children, one of whom is deceased ; 
Orson O. married Miss V. H. Gray, a native of 
JNlissouri, and they occup3' part of the Newberry 
homestead, and have three children — Rosa, Bessie 
and Ollie; Charles is married and lives at Montrose; 
he is owner and manager of the steamboat Hope, 
on tlie Mississippi River; his wife's maiden name 
was Miss Jennie Bellany, and tiiey have one child. 
Ell la. Rosaline is deceased. 

Mr. Newberry is the proprietoi- of 1 ,800 acres of 
land, lying in what is known as String Prairie, and 
belonging to the old "half-breed" tract. Apart 
of this land is under good cultivation, and besides 
his .agricultural interests, Mr. Newberry is largely 
engaged in stock-raising, in which he has iieen 




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LEE COUNTY. 



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uniforuily successful. He makes a specialty of 
mules and horses. He is a man of prominence in 
iiis eomniiinitv, has held the minor ofliccs of his 
tounship, and in politics is a relial)le Republican. 
A view of the fine farm residence and sin-round- 
ings of Mr. Newberry is shown in connection with 
this sketch. 



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■>^*c-v> 




AMES \\. FKOW, ;i liiglily respected resi- 
dent of Ft. iladison, is a native of Juniata 
County', Pa., and was born .Tan. 20, 182X. 
llis father was James P'row, a native of the 
same Stale, and our subject remained under the 
parental roof during his earlier 3'ears, receiving 
cMrcful training from his parents and the first rudi- 
ments of his education in the public schools. At 
llieageof twenty-one years he commenced teach- 
ing, following this profession during the winter 
monliis for twelve years, and in summer was vari- 
ously occu|)ied, much of tiie time as a mechanic. 
Ill ISoT lie started for tiic West, and coiiiiug into 
Ibe llawUcye State, h)caled at \\'est I'oint in Lee 
County, and has been a resident of the county since 
tliat time. 

From the time of Mr. Frow's coming, his (inalifi- 
cations as a leader obtained read}' recognition, lie 
was siMjii made Secretary of the Lee County Agri- 
cultural Association, and in IH64 was appointed 
Assistant Ti'easurer of the count}', which jMjsition 
he held for four yearS, and was then elected first 
Recorder of Deeds under the present law, which 
office he held for two years. He then engaged in 
mercantile pursuits, in which he has been occupied 
until the present time. Me was aiipointed Post- 
master of Ft. Madison in 1 «7(;, by President (i rant, 
which office lie iield for a peritid of eight years, 
with great credit to himself and satisfaction to all. 
He was for eighteen years agent of tiie American 
Express Company, the only company repiesented 
in this city during that time. 

Mr. Frow was married on the l.Hh of .March, 1«52. 
to Miss Susan Davis, of Miami County, Ohio. Of 
this marriage there were born three children : Eliz- 
alieth, the wife of (J. \V. lionnell, who lives in Lin- 
coln County, N'eb. ; Kninia I., and Otto II. Mr. 



and Mrs. Frow arc prominently connected with the 
Baptijt Church, of which Mr. Krow has been Clerk 
and Trustee, and is at present Trea?urei'. 



-•-^^^ 



-^3- 



OHN DOWNEY, of Charleston Township, 
is finely located on section 21, and has a 
good farm, consisting of 280 acres, supplied 
with a good residence, barn') and out-build- 
! ings. and everj'thing necessary foi' comfort and 
I convenience. .Mr. Downey has been a resident of 
! Lee County since the spring of 1857. ;ind in a 
I residence of thirty years has built up for him.self a 
re[)utation as an honest man and a good citizen. 
The subject of this history comes of e.\cellent 
[ Irish ancestry and parentage, and possesses all the 
I warm and generous qualities of the Celtic r.ace. 
He was born near Belfast, in 18;3'l, aTid at the age 
: of t went}' years set sail for the New AVorld. After 
reaching the Unitetl States, he lived in the State of 
New York for about two years, then went to Ohio, 
and soon afterward cro.s.sed the Missi.-^sippi into the 
Hawkeye State, .settling in Lee County, of which 
he has since lieen a resident, and coutinuousl}' 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. After first coming 
to Lee County he located in Montrose Township, 
I of which he was a resident for ten 3'ears, and in 
18(i7 came into Charleston Townshii), and estab- 
lished a permanent home. 

In early manhood Mr. Downey was married in 
Montrose Township, in March, 18.VJ, to Mi.«s Ann 
J. Tate, of Belmont County, Ohio. Of this union 
there were born four children : Isabella is the wife of 
Edward McManus, of Charleston Towii.-.hip: Will- 
iam T. resides at home; the others were Elizabeth 
and .lane. .Mrs. Ann .1. Downey departed thi.-- life 
in the fall of 18(i'.t, in Charleston Township. .Mr. 
Downey was married the second time, in .lackson 
Township, Oct. 1(), 1873, to Miss Ruhamah Cheno- 
weth of Jackson Township, born Oct. 4, 1845. Of 
this union there have been born five children — 
Albertie, Webster J.. Mary M., Robert R. and 
Bessie M. 

Mr. Downev w.-is elected Justice of the Peace 
in lx7ii. wliich office he li:is held until the pre>ent 



^ '■^- ^ cSi 




LEE COUNTY. 



time. He has been Township Trustee, and in 1886 
was Chairman of the Lee County Democratic Central 
Committee, being identified, politicallj', witli the 
members of this party. He has always taken an 
active interest in the welfare of his county and com- 
munity, and in all respects is one of its best citizens. 




,AUL M. MATIIEW-S, a well-to-do farmer 
of Lee Count}", occupies a fine estate in 
^'an Buren Township, located on section 2. 
He comes of stanch old Pennsylvania stoclv, 
lumself a native of the Keystone State, the 
date of his birth being March 29, 1842. His parents 
were Paul and Nancy (Spear) Mathews. Paul 
Mathews was born March 16, 1811, came to Iowa 
when in the prime of life, was engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits, and died in this State Jul}* 15, 1884. 
Mrs. Nancy S. Mathews was born Maj^ 18, 1816, 
and preceded her husband to the land beyond, dy- 
ing July 17, 1873. They were both earnest, active 
members of the United Presbyterian Church, and 
in politics Paul Mathews was strongly Republican. 
The parental household included eleven children, 
whose record is as follows : Jane became the wife 
of Thomas Moore ; James was a soldier in the late 
Civil War, and was killed at the battle of Polk's 
Plantation, Arkansas, May 25, 1863; Boyd died in 
Missouri about fifteen years ago; Paul M., the sub- 
ject of our sketch, was the fourth child ; John was 
a soldier and died in the army; Isabelle and Eliza 
died at the ages of two and five years respectively ; 
William P. married Miss Martha J. Herron ; Albert 
L. married Miss Carrie DeLamater; Edward C. 
married Miss Pauline McCord ; Cora E. became the 
wife of G. T. Powell. 

Paul M. Mathews and Miss Aurilla Powell were 
united in marriage Feb. 4, 1870. Mrs. Mathews 
was born Nov. 18, 1840, in Franklin Count}', Ohio, 
and is the daughter of George W. and Nancy (Mc- 
Craekeii) Powell, natives of Ohio and Pennsylva- 
nia respectively. George W. Powell was born in 
1815, and departed this life May 5, 1883. Mrs. 
Nancy Powell was born in 181'j. and is still living. 
They became the parents of eleven children, ten of 
whom survive, the record being as follows : Clarissa 
is now .Mrs. Gesse; Maitlia S. is -Mrs. Newby ; .Fo- 




seph T. married Miss Clara Miller; David L. mar- 
ried Miss Ara L. Overton ; Aurilla J. is the wife of 
our subject; John W. was married to Miss Sarah 
Overton; William L. married Miss Julia Court- 
wright; George T. married Miss Cora Mathews ;r 



Nancy O. died when a little over two years old; 
Oliver married Miss Hattie Beeler; Laura A, 
came the wife of Dr. Todd. 

Of the marriage of Paul M. and Mrs. Aui'elia P. 
Mathews eight children were lioni, one deceased. 
The living are Charles B., born in 1S72; Floyd M., 
in 1873; .Jessie P., in 1874; Nancy L., in ls7(!; 
Emma and Paul E., twins, were born Julj' 3, 1880, 
the latter died in 1883; Mar}' A. was born .June 17. 
1SS3, and George W., June 13, 1885. 

The second year after the outbreak of the late 
war Mr. Mathews enlisted as a soldier in Co. B. 3d 
Iowa Vol. Cav., at Keokuk, .as private, and served 
three years. He participated in several general en- 
gagements, am(mg them the seige of ^'icksbnrg. 
He was never wounded, but his health was seri- 
ously impaired by exposure and hardships. His 
regiment went to Little Rock, Ark., and while at 
Memphis it participated in several engagements. 
He performed all the duties of a soldier in a faith- 
ful manner, and received an hi>nor.able discharge at 
the close of the war, being mustered out at Daven- 
port on the 2 1st of August, 1865. 

Paul M. Mathews first arrived in Iowa in 1851, 
and has since been, with the exception of his mili- 
tary service, prosperousl}' engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He has 200 acres of finely cultivated 
land, all in one liody, and is giving considerable 
attention to the breeding of high-grade cattle and 
sheep. He has been a man of influence in his com- 
munity, and has been honored with the various of- 
fices in his township. He is a member in good 
standing of G. A. R. Post No. 152, at Farmington. l!^ 
In politics he is a Democrat, and his wife is con- 
nected in membership with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 

ON. JOHN D. M. IIA.MILTON, of Ft. Mad- 
ison, junior member of the law firm of ^'an 
Valkenburg it Hamilton, and an old and 
highly respected citizen, having lived here 
neiuly all his lifetime, is one of those persevering; 






0^ 



"KSKJ*? 



WnTTirmTT< 



!iiul energetic characters, who, commencing at the 
loot of the ladder, has risen to eminence. He lias 
l)een a close student and an extensive reader, and 
takes (irst rank among the members of the profes- 
sion ill the llawkeye State, lie is a native of 
IVnnsylvaiila, horn in Pittslnirgh, July 18, 1851, 
and is the s(ni of Hon. John S. Hamilton, who was 
al>o born in the Smoky City and was there reared 
ti) manhiiiid. He was a lawj-er by profession and 
liecame a prominent Democratic politician, at one 
time representing Allegiieny County in the State 
Legislature, an<l was a man |)rominent in all public 
matters in his locality. He came to Iowa in 18.')1, 
and settled at Ft. Madison, wiiere he was .at once 
recognized as one fitted by nature to become a 
leader among his fellow-men. Four years after 
coming iiere he was elected a mcmlier of the Iowa 
State Lcgislatuie, and introduced some of the most 
important measures of that session. He was acci- 
dentally killed while making a speech at a Demo- 
cratic rally, by the premature explosion of a cannon, 
lie was a member of the lAIasonic fraternity, and 
lii> dentil was dee|ily lamented liy all \vlio knew 
him. His wife, Sarah (Miller) Hamilton, w;is also 
a native of Pittsburgh, and a daughter of John D. 
Miller, a (lioneer of Lee County. B}' her marriage 
with Mr. Hamilton she became the mother of four 
cliildren, of whom our subject was the eldest; 
James M. is a [iracticing attornej- at Oxford, Neb.; 
Lizzie, now Mrs. Harrison, is a resident of Ft. Mad- 
ison, and William S. is practicing law at Lincoln, 
Neb. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Ham- 
ilton was united in marriage with Isaiah Hale, of 
Ft. Madison. 

The subject of this history was but, an infant 
when his parents emigrated to Lee County. He 
received his primaiy education in the schools of 
Ft. Madison, and took a literary course in Knox 
College at (Jalesburg. He afterward entei'ed the 
law department of the Washington I'niversity of 
St. Louis, from which he graduated in 187;j, soon 
afterward becoming associated with his present 
partner, and has since given his close jittention to 
the practice of his in-ofcssion. He commenced life 
without means, but by close attention to business 
and a sti;iightforw!ird course, secured a large pat- 
roii.'tgc, and is now the pos-^essor of some propertj". 



Mr. Hamilton, following in the footsteps of his 
honored father, is Democratic in politics, and dni*- 
ing the various campaigns has materially assisted 
the cause by making stump speeches. For four 
years he was City Attorney of Ft. Madison, and was 
a member of the State Legislature in 1878. He was 
Pre>idential Elector for the First District of Iowa 
in 18S0, and was appointed by Gov. Jjherraau, a 
member of the commission to locate and build the 
Southwestern Hospital for the Insane. They sel- p 
ectcd a site at Clarinda, Iowa, and the building is B^ 
now in process of coii>tructioii. Be 

In 188G Mr. Il.amilton was Chairman of the Com- §c 
inittee on Resolutions at the State Democratic Con- 
vention, and at the convention of his Senatorial 
District was tendered the nomination for State Sen- 
ator almost unanimously, but respectfully declined 
to accept. On the 7th of March, 1887, Mr. Ham- 
ilton was elected Mayor of Ft. Madison, for the 
term of tw^o years, bj- a large majority. Socially, 
he became connected with the Knights of Pythias ;!: 
in 1874, as a member of the Gem City Lodge No. ;;; 
21, in which he has passed all the Chairs, and in Siii 
1884 was Grand Chancellor of the State. During :ii 
his term of office, 1,500 members were added to ~z\\ 
the order, and in connection with tins, he made the !;!; 
most brilliant record known to the order at this :Ei 
point. He is also a member of F^mporia Lodge KEi 
No. 31, I. O. O. F., of which he is at present Noble ci: 
Grand. 

Mr. Hamilton was married in 1878, to ^Miss Mary 
M. Rice, of Keokuk, and ilauglitcr of .1. M. and Siti 
Katie Rice. Of this marriage has been born one Sijd 
son — Hale Rice. The^- occupy a beautiful home s^ 
in F"t. Madison and are the center of a large circle ]| 
of warm friends, iiumberiiig among their acquaint- J 
ances the most higiily cultivated peojile of the city. 5| 



»-*-^- 



-^ 



/OHN RIX, D. S., of Ft. Madison, is not only p| 
a skillful iir.actilioucr of dental surgery, but sj 



a highly esteemed 
and 



an 



1 prominent citizen, ;•"} 



has been a resident of thi> citv since C^, 
July, 187 1. Our subject is a native of (,)nebec, 2|J 
Canada, and was born in Coiiiptou. .Ian. 1, 18;iy. 
His parents w<u-e (iiiy Carleton and Martha Rebecca 



tiddriria 




t^ss 




LEE COUNTY. 



■1")5 



(Gates) Rix, natives of New Hampshire and Ver- 
[ moiit respectively. His paternal grandfatlier, Na- 
thaniel Rix, was one uf the must prominent cdtizens 
I of the Old (iranite State. For fourteen years he 
I was an honored member of the State Legislature. 
(tU3' C'arleton Rix, the father of our subject, was 
I finely educated, and a man of extensive reading 
and retentive memorj', and onlj' a short time before 
his death delivered a series of lectures on Self- 
I Culture, which were afterward published and 
widely circulated. The companitin of his early 
I youth still survives, making her home at Dowagiac, 
I Mich., whither they had removed. She retains her 
mental faculties to a remarkable degree, clings to 
her early habits of industry, and is never so happy 
I as when engaged in some useful employment. 

The subject of this biography remained with 
I his parents until he had attained to years of man- 
hood, receiving a good common-school education, 
and assisting in the lighter duties of the homestead. 
Aug. 28, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 4th :Mich. Vol. 
Cav., and was at once appointed Lieutenant. This 
regiment was engaged in the capture of Jefferson 
Davis, and Mr. Rix has now in his possession a 
I revolver taken from Gen. Johnson, a staff officer of 
the Confederate leader. Our subject served with 
his regiment until the close of the war, and with his 
I comrades was mustered out at Nashville, July 1 , 
1805. 

Mr. Rix returned to Michigan at the close of his 

I military career and decided upon becoming a deu- 

jtist. For a time he conducted his studies unaided, 

I and then took a course at the University of Mich- 

; igan, receiving the necessary instruction which en- 

labled him to commence practice. His first location 

was in Dowagiac, but in 1874 he removed to F't. 

Madison, where he has since remained. Here he 

I has carried <;in the practice of his profession with 

i great credit to himself and satisfaction to a large 

i number of patrons. He is scientific and skillfid in 

his calling, and stands high in the profession in Lee 

I County. 

John Rix was married to Miss Marie E. Hazlit, 

in 1867, and of this union there has been born a 

I daughter, Lottie. Mr. Rix is a cliarter member of 

j Stella Lodge No. 440, A. F. & A. M., of which he 

j is Master, and he is acknowledged to be one of the 

a 



ablest men in the State filling this position, lie is 
also a member of Potowonok Chapter No. 2.s, R. 
A. 1\L, I if which he has been High Priest, and he is 
also a member of Damascus Commandery No. 5, 
Knights Templar. 



jAMES EWING, a wealthy and prosperous 
farmer of Montrose Township, is finelj- lo- 
cated on section 6, the home of his father 
^^^J before him. Mr. Ewing is unmarried, and 
is enjoying the latter days of his life retired from 
active labor, in the companionship of his sister, 
Miss M. J. Ewing. Our subject is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born in Beaver County, Sept. 22, 1840. 
His parents were William and Frances (Johnson) 
Ewing, natives of the same county and State- 
William Ewing was born July 4, 1802, removed 
from his native State in earlj- manhood to Iowa, 
and died at or near Keokuk in 184.S. His wife was 
his junior b}' three years, born in July, 180.5, and 
was the daughter of Robert and Jennie (Reed) 
Johnson. She survived her husband thirty-four 
years, dying in Montrose Township, March 31, 
1882. These excellent people were members of the 
United Presbyterian Church, and carefully trained 
their family of seven children, giving them all a good 
education and leaving them comfortably settled in 
life. The record of the family is as follows : Ma- 
linda was drowned in her twentieth year ; Robert 
was unmarried, and died in 18.54; Margaret Jane 
is living with her brother, the subject of our 
sketch ; Ann Eliza became the wife of Robert 
Hamilton, and lives in this county ; James, of this 
notice, was the youngest son. 

The homestead of James Ewing and his sister con- 
sists of 11)7 acres i>f land, all under fence, the greater 
part of which is highly improved and cultivated. 
Besides his agricultural pursuits he is largely in- 
terested in the breeding of fine cattle, of which he 
has a herd of thirty head of as fine animals as are 
to be found in Lee County. He also makes a spe- 
cialty of Poland-China hogs, which he disposes of to 
the farmers of this locality for breeding purposes. 

George W. Ewing died of consumption in 1864, 
in the nineteenth year of his age. A younger 




Tiinr 




Six. 




brother, Walter L., became a TTnion solrlier in 1863, 
enlisting in Co. H, ;3d Iowa Vol. C'av. Through 
fatigue and privation, and llie utiier liardships inci- 
dent to the life of a soldier, his health failed, and 
he eanie home to die, passing away in March, 1866, 
in the twentieth jear of his age. Miss .Alargaret .1. 
Kwing is an intelligent and cultivated lady, and a 
L, member in good standing of the United Presbyte- 
rian Church. She is highly respected in the com- 
inunitj', and with her brother .lames, by their up- 
right and useful lives are doing honor to the mem- 
il!i£in '"'^ '^^ thaiv excellent i)arcnts. Mr. Ewing in poli- 
i^&!l tics is a conscientious Republican, and uniformly 
casts his vote in support of the principles of that 
party. 

— r- -i^m- -"^^^ 



ENRY (;AR\'ERICH, a highly respected 
farmer and stock-raiser, is operating suc- 
cessfully on his fine estate on section 17, 
l)es Moines Township. Mr. Garverich is a 
native of l)aui)hin County, Pa., and was born April 
IG, 1.H34. His father, (ieorge flarverich, was a 
native of the same State and county, and pursued 
the occupation of farming; he is still living and a 
resident of his native county. His wife, the mother 
of our subject, died in about 1840, at the age of 
forty-seven years. She had become the mother 
of eight children, of whom Henry was the 3'oung- 
est. Three sons and two daughters are yet living. 
The eldest son after he had attained the age of 
forty-seven years was thrown from a wagon and 
killed. 

Henry ( Jarverich remained under the parental roof 
until he had attained to ^ears of manhood, receiv- 
ing careful iionie training and an excellent educa- 
tion in the i)ublic schools. Before the breaking 
out of the late Civil War he had been living upon 
land belonging to his fathe- which was being culti- 
vated by an elder brother, but during the war he 
Jjdetermined to become a soldier of the Union, and 
accordingly enlisted Aug. 20, 1864, in Co. H, 201st 
Pa. Vol. Inf., commanded by Capt. B. F. Ashen- 
felter, of Dauphin County. The regiment was de- 
tailed to special duty around Alexandria, Orange, 
and along the railroad — in fact our subject was 
upon special duty the most of the time, and did not 

.Bgggg 



m 



receive any wounds during his service. He wa> 
honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., June 2(i. 
1865, and immediately returned to his old home, 
soon thereafter setting his face westward with the 
view of establishing a permanent home beyond tiic 
Mississippi. He came into Lee County, Iowa, and 
decided to make his final location here. He pur- 
chased land some time afterward, and was prospereil 
in his undertaking. He is now the owner of 32ii 
broad acres, 240 of whicii are in a good state of cul- 
tivation, and has a fine dwelling, good barns and 
outhou.scs, and all the appliances of a first-clas- 
farmer and stock-grower. He is held in high re- 
spect by his neighbors and acquaintances, and ha-^ 
abundant reason to feel that he has made a success 
of life. 

The marriage of Mr. (iarvcrieh was celebrated at 
his present home, which had been the birthplace of 
his bride, Miss Janetta Sargent, and at that time 
belonged to her maternal grandfather, Leonard 
Starkweather. Their wedding took place April 29, 
1869. The birth of Mrs. Garverich occurred Oct. 
8, 1850, and her parents were John A. and (h-sula 
Sargent (see sketch). vShe was reared and educat- 
ed in her native township and well fitted for the 
future duties of life. ]Mr. and Mrs. Garverich have 
become the parents of six children, namely, Minnie 
J., (4eorge H., Nellie I., F. E., Ola JI. and Cecil 
Ray, all at home. The family are highly respected 
in the communit3' and are stanch friends of educa- 
cation and moralit3'. 

Mr. G. enjoys in a marked degree the esteem 
and confidence of his townsmen, and for six years 
h.as been Justice of the Peace, and has occupied 
other important otHces in the local concerns of the 
township. He affiliates with the Republican party, 
and uniformly casts his vote in support of its prin- 
ciples. He is in all respects an h(jnest man and a 
good citizen, and is fulfilling the obligations of life 
with credit and fidelity. 

The father of our subject, George (iarverich, 
more familiarly known as " Grandpap Garverich, " 
recently reached his eighty-ninth birthday. The 
occasion was made one of general rejoicing, and 
from the Morning Call, a daily paper published in 
Hamburg, Pa., we glean the following facts in re- 
gard to the festivities: Farlj- in the evening his 




Lssss^ 







LEE COUNTY. 




house at 1223 Derry street, was entererl b}- a large 
number of liis old friends, together with his chil- 
dren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and 
he was made the victim of a genuine surprise party. 
He was notified that a " few visitors " wished to see 
him, and on going down to the parlor found scores 
of guests who had come to congratulate him upon his 
accession of nearly fourscore j'ears and ten. In 
their effort to make " grandpap " young again, thej' 
succeeded admirably, and many a pleasant jest 
went around as the company refreshed themselves 
at a table groaning with all the delicacies of the 
season. It was an occasion long to be remembered, 
and illustrates in a marked manner the esteem 
in which this worthy old gentleman is held bj' the 
friends who have known him, some of them for 
half a century. 

In connection with this sketch is a well executed 
view of the fine homestead of Henry (xarverich, 
which invariablj- attracts the attention of the pass- 
ing traveler. 



/OSEPH B. ATLEE, foreman of the S. & J. 

I C. Atlee Lumber Company, is a native of 
Penns3'lvania, born in Dauphin Count}', 
Sept. 1, 18;57, When he was but four years 
old, the famil}' removed to Lancaster County, and 
there .Toseph B. was educated in the common school, 
and afterward served an apprenticeship to the trade 
of house carpenter, at which he worked for a short 
time in his own neighborhood, and then entered 
the employ of Marsh Bros., manufacturers of the 
Marsh Harvester, and assisted in making the first 
pattern for the iron work of that machine, which 
has become so celebrated throughout the United 
.States. Mr. Atlee remained with the Marsh Har- 
vester Company until ISGG, and then entered the 
employ of the Harrisburg Cotton Company, re- 
maining for a period of ten years as foreman of 
their repair shops. 

Mr. Atlee, now considering that he was entitled 

to a vacation, concluded to make a visit to the 

West. Its broad fields and generous promises to 

] the man of enterprise and perseverance proved an 

irresistible uttr.ictiou, and he was desirous of trying 



his fortune there. .So, bidding adieu to old friends 
and associates, he .set his face toward the Missis- 
sippi River, and soon found himself in the Hawkeye 
State. He was provided with excellent recom- 
mendations, and was personally known to some of 
the residents of this section, and at once entered 
the emjjloy of the S. & .T. C. Atlee Company, and 
has now been with the firm for ten j'ears. It is 
hardly necessary to say that Mr. Atlee is a man 
highly skilled in his calling, as the position which 
he occupies could be filled satisfactorily by none 
other. As a superintendent, having large numbers 
of men under bis charge, he is a success, possessing 
that wise judgment without which no man in 
authority can succeed. 

In early manhood the subject of our sketch was 
married to Miss Susan Waltman, the wedding 
being celebrated in 1860. (Jf this union there was 
one son, Walter S., and the mother departed this 
life in 1880. Mr. Atlee was a second time married, to 
Mrs. Lucy Hawley, a native of Lee County, Iowa, 
and the daughter of Col. William Stewart, a resident 
of Ft. Madison. By her first marriage Mrs. Atlee 
had become the mother of twf) children, Estella 
and Hosea. 

Mr. Atlee takes an intelligent interest in the 
general welfare of his comnnmity, and fulfills all 
the obligations of an honest man and good citizen. 
In politics he is strongly Republican, and uniformly 
casts his vote in support of the principles of that 
part}'. While generally interested in the success 
of those principles which will result in the best good 
to his country and community, he takes no 
active part in politics. He cast his firsfPresidential 
vote for Abraham Lincoln. Socially Jlr. Atlee 
stands high in his community, and is a member in 
good standing of the A. F. & A. M. 



,^s^ HAPLEY MOORE, a pioneer settler of the 
Hawkeye State, crossed the Mississippi 
while Iowa was still a Territory, and has 
been a resident of this section the greater 
part of the time since. He owns and occupies a 
fine homestead in Charleston Township, on section 
22, and is passing the later years of his life in the 




1 



PHI 



ii 



iii 




s^&i- 



PI 



m 



mm 

m 








458 



LKE COUNTY. 



enjoyment of the fruits of early industry. IMr. 
Moore is ii native of Kentucky, and w:is Ikhii in 
Lincoln ('..nnty, ^I;iy 10, 18-20. lie is the son 
of Cforge and Hlioda (Klhnore) Moore, natives of 
the same State as their son, and who, in 1 s'M, emi- 
grated from tlieii' native State to Iowa, locating in 
Charleslim T<)wnshii), Lee County, where the}' 
lived the remainder of their days. They were 
among the earliest settlers of this region, and bore 
with Courage anil |)atience the privations and ditli- 
cidties of a pioneer life. The}- were the parents of 
nine children, four sons and five daughters, of 
whom the suliject of our sketch was the fourth in 
order of liirth. 

Sh.'ipley iMoore was a lad of seven years old when 
ills parents removed from Kentuck}- to the Terri- 
tory of Iowa, arriving here in June, 1836. He re- 
mained under the parental roof until he was twenty- 
three years of age, and then, in 1852, embarked 
on a sailing-vessel from New Orleans, via the Nic- 
aragua route, to California. After passing the 
(•olden (iate he entered the mines, and for twenty 
years was emplo.yed in digging for the yellow ore. 
He was successful in his Tenture, and when he re- 
turned to Lee County purch.ased the old homestead 
of his father in Charleston Township, upon which 
he settled and has since remained. It consists of 
120 acres of valuable land, eighty of which are in 
good, tillable condition. It is supplied with a com- 
fortable frame dwelling, good barn and outhouses, 
and everything which pertains to a first-class farm 
estate. 

Ml-. .Moore w.as married in Charleston Township, 
Nov. ;'», 1871, to Mrs. Malvina Frikle, the daugh- 
ter of (ieorge and Katie (Hauk) Ililer, natives of 
Ohio. They came to Iowa in 1858, and settled in 
Charleston Township, this county, where thej' have 
since resided. They had a family of nine children, 
two sons and seven daughters, of whom Mrs. 
.Moore was the eldest. She was born in Brown 
County, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1841, and when a young lady 
was married to William Frikle, who died in 
Charleston, Iowa, June 28, 1S(;7. By this marriage 
she became the mother of four children, the brief 
history of whom is as follows: Frank married 
Miss Ada Bety, and resides in (iuthrie Count}', 
low-a; Minnie is the wife of William Allen, of 



Charleston, Iowa; Chris W. and Clara are with 

llieir mother. 

Mr. and Mrs. M(n>re are connected with the Bap- 
tist Church, and in politics Mr. M. is a stanch Ke- 
puldiciii. Their union has been blest by the birth of 
two children — Lnla and f Jeorge A. Their pleasant 
home is replete with all the comforts and many of 
the luxuries of life, and they enjoy in a marked 
degree the esteem and friendship of a large circle 
<)f acquaintances. 

-^>> ••o♦o.■t'Q^><v®••o♦o. *<-- 



■^ AMES M. CALF, a highly rcspecteil citizen, 
is engaged in general f.arming and stock- 
raising on section 2, West I'oint Township. 
He has been a resident of the county for .-i 
period of thirty-eight years, and in that time has 
established for himself a reputation as an honest 
man and a good citizen. He has been successful 
in his business enterprises, and has borne an im- 
portant part in the development and progress of 
this locality. 

Mr. Cale was born in Preble Count}', Ohio, March 
1, 1830. His father, Ceorge Cale, was a native of 
Virginia, a farmer by occupation, and came to 
Ohio before his marriage. His wife was Mi.ss Hen- 
rietta McCabe, of Preble County, Ohio, and they 
remained in that locality until the death of George 
Cale, after which the mother, with her children, 
crossed the Mississippi and settled in West Point 
Township, removing to Pleasant Ridge Township 
in about 1848. The household included six chil- 
dren, four of whom are now deceased. 

The subject of this history was the oldest of his 
parents' family, and was a lad of nine years when 
his mother came to Iowa with her five sons, one 
child having died in Ohio. He grew to years of 
maturity on the farm in Pleasant Ridge Township. 
During the progress of the late w-ar three of the 
sons enlisted in the army, one for five years and 
the others three years each. William died of camp 
fever shortly after his return home on a furlough; 
Erastus is a farmer in Pottawattamie County, Iowa; 
Freeling H. returned from the army, and died two 
years later of consumption contracti^d through ex- 
posure while in the .service; John, the eldest, a 







sS^ 



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farmer by occupation, was married, and died in 
West Point Township in 1861. 

James M. Cale was educated in the public schools, 
and lived at home with his mother until his mar- 
riage with Miss Clarinda Vanhyning. which took 
place April 19, 1860. Mrs. Cale is a native of 
Ohio, born in Summit County, June 31, 1832, and 
is the daughter of Thomas Vanhyning, who came 
to Iowa in 1845, and with his family settled in Lee 
County. He only lived three years thereafter, dy- 
ing of cholera. The mother, Mrs. Affa (Miller) 
Vanhyning, was a native of Connecticut. She 
came with her parents to Iowa, and survived her 
husband until Jan. 16, 1881, her death occurring 
in West Point Township at the advanced age of 
nearly eight3'-four years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cale are the parents of one child, 
William, who resides at home. The liomestead 
consists of 150 acres, and is all improved. Mr. 
Cale has been a successful farmer and business man, 
and enjoys a handsome income from his various 
transactions as a farmer and stock-grower. He and 
his wife are members in good standing of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Cale is now 
Steward, and has been Superintendent of the Sab- 
bath-school for a number of years. He is a first- 
class Eepublican in politics, and has held tlie minor 
offices of the township. 

eOL. JAMES BLAINE SAMPLE, whose life 
ended nearly twenty years ago, and whose re- 
mains were laid to rest with military honors 
by the G. A. K. in the cemetery at Ft. Madison, on 
the 30th of March, 1868, was the son of William and 
Jane (Blaine) Sample, and was born in Washing- 
ton, Pa., Nov. 13, 1834. He came to Iowa with 
his father's family in 1840. He received a liberal 
education, and upon the completion of his studies, 
when nearly seventeen years of age, up to the time 
of his enlistment in the army, had been engaged in 
mercantile business in the Des Moines Vallej', in 
company with Hon. Edwin Manning, of Keosauqua. 
In personal characteristics our subject was amia- 
ble and above reproach, and by his upright and 
Christian deportment won the confidence and es- 




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teem of his fellow-citizens. In private life he en- 
deared himself, not only to his own family, but to 
all l)y whom he was known. When the war broke 
out, in April, 1861, he was among the first to sig- 
nify his intention of enlisting in the volunteer p; 
service, and was largely instrumental in tlie organ- 
ization of Co. D, 7th Iowa ^^ol. Inf., by wliom he 
was esteemed as a model officer and noble man. lt\ 
tlieir engagement at the battle of Belmont, Mo., 
Lieut. Sample had command of his company, .and 
with his own hands captured a beautiful rebel Hag, 
in doing which it was said he went up the flag-staff 
to the halyards like a cat. AVhen in the act of 
pulling it down there were not less than 100 guns 
pointed at him, and in order to secure the flag as a 
trophy he wrapped it around his body, thus making 
a target of himself while running a gauntlet of 
rebel fire for a distance of nearly half a mile. In 
mentioning this circumstance afterward he re- 
marked, " How one man got through there witliout 
a shot is more than I can understand." This flag 
is preserved by his family as a precious memento, 
being now in possession of his sister, Mrs. Malcolm. 

Col. Sample was successively the honored and 
trusted staff officer of some of the most efficient .. ..■ 
Generals commanding, and served as Adjutant p } 
General with rank of Major, displaying upon var- 
ious occasions a degree of patriotism seldom sur- 
passed by any of the brave men who have made 
the military annals of Iowa immortal. He partici- 
pated in the strife of twenty-one ensanguined bat- 
tle-fields, from that of Belmont, Nov. 7, 1861, to 
that of Blakely, near Mobile, April 9, 1865. He was 
twice wounded severely, once at the taking of Ft. 
Uonelson, and once at Henderson Hill on the Red 
River. Gen. Mower in his official reports of this 
expedition speaks of Lieut. Sample in most compli- 
mentary terms. In succession his commissimis 
ranked from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel. 
After a protracted illness, accompanied by much 
suffering, at Montgomery, Ala., he died on board 
the steamer "Jewess," March 24, 1868, while pass- 
ing down the Alabama River. 

Though comparatively a young man, the life of 
Col. Sample, measured by experience and by his- 
torical record, was a long and eventful one, and he 
has left as a precious legacy to tlu)Se who mourned 










[LJLIJLI trill . 




his loss, an unsullied uanie, bf>th as a soldier and 
a gentleman, lie was pionipt, reticent, lirave an<l 
modest, relnclMul to speak of his personal exper- 
iences and the dangers he liad passed thiwigli, even 
to his most intimate friends. 

A full, rich iiuliiro. f|-cc In trust, 
'rrulliliil. :uiil almost slcnily Just ; 
Impulsivi'. canicst, proiupt to :u-t, 
Aiul uiakc liis generous thought a fact. 

His comrades in Ft. Madison have honored his 
name by giving that of .lames H. Sample to their 
Post of the (r. A. H. 

Frank Malcolm, brother-in-law of Col. Sample, 
went into the late war as a recruit, in January, 
1864, joining Company 1), of the 7th Iowa Regi- 
ment, with which he continued until the close of 
the war, having passed througli all the hardships 
and perils of Sherman's famous march from Atlanta 
to the sea. He had been a merchant the greater part 
of his life, was a good accountant and book-keeper, 
and made a faithful soldier in everj^ position of 
trust in which he was placed in the service, only re- 
turning iioine when the war was over and all mus- 
tered out of service. Mrs. Malcolm, a highly re- 
spected lady of Ft. Madison, and sister of Col. Sam- 
ple, is the possessor of Grandfather Blaine's clock, 
a majestic piece of furniture, at least 100 years old, 
which still keeps as good time as ever. It stands 
about eight feet high, and is a valuable relic of 
days gone liy. This estimable lady is to be com- 
mended for her devotion to the memory of her 
loved ones who have already finished life's labors. 
Accompanying this sketch is a fine lithographic 
portrait of Col. Sample, which we know will be rec- 
ognized with pleasure by the old-time friends and 
acquaintances of this brave defender of his coun- 
try's honor and integrity. 




^w^-^tecc®^® 



l/gJ-^/^?^^»^~•w~» 



KS. ELIZA EWING MALCOLM, a highly 
esteemed resident of Ft. Madison, is well 
known in this vicinity as a lady of rare 
musical talent, and somewhat of an artist, 

■~ combined with literary tastes and kindly Christian 
ohaf.'ictcr. Slio is descended on both sides of her 
house from famous and talented families, and is 
" own cousin to Hon. James <i. Blaine, the late Re- 




publican candidate for the I'resideney of tlie United 
States. 

Mrs. Malcolm was born Feb. 3, 18;)3, and came 
to Iowa with her parents when seven years of age. 
She received her primary education in the i)ublic 
schools, and afterward attended W.ashington Sem- 
inary. At the age of nineteen years site com- 
menced teaching in Ft. Madison, an<l was thus oc- 
cupied until l.S.'jC), in whicii year site was united in 
marriage witii Mr. Frank .Malcolin, a native of 
Rush County. Iml.. hut of N'irginia parentage. He 
was for many years engaged in mercantile jiur- 
suits and departed this life .Ian. KS, 1884. With 
his wife he was connected with the I'resbj'terian 
Church, and was a gentleman higlily respected in 
the community, both on acccount of his straight- 
forward business methf)ds and his high personal 
character. 

Mrs. Malcolm uf our sketch is a native of Little 
Washington, Washington Co., Pa., and the daughter 
of Capt. William and Jane (Blaine) Sample (see 
sketch of William Sample elsewhere in this book). 
She lias inherited the talents of her ancestors to a 
large degree, is finely educated, an extensive read- 
er, and i)0ssesses the command of language and 
the use of the pen to an extraordinary degree. For 
many years she has been one of the brightest lights 
in the social circles of this city, and is the favorite 
of both young and old among the people who have 
known her so long and so well. She occupies a 
prominent positiim as a literaiy genius of the West, 
and her written thoughts have been perused by 
hundreds of readers with both profit and delight. 

Mrs. Malcolm occupies a pleasant homestead in 
Ft. Madison, and is the center of a circle of the 
most cultured people in this vicinity. 



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0-^ IIARLES MARTIN, a successful general 
merchant of West Point Township, is one of 
the leading business men of Lee Countj-, 
and is doing an extensive and steadily increasing 
trade. He became established in his present (juar- 
ters in 186,5, and .started out with a moderate stock 
of goods. This he has steadily added to, as his 




r.£rVc;r'ri^ 




trade extended, aud his establishment is now 
eqiiip|ied with all the necessaries of ordinal-}' do- 
mestic life. He commenced near the foot of the 
ladder, and b}' persevering industry and economy, 
assisted b}- his natural good judgment, has slowly 
but surely climbed up to success. In 1875 he 
erected a new store building, which is built of 
brick, and as a business house is handsome and com- 
modious. He carries a stock of general merchan- 
dise, and his annual receipts bear a flattering com- 
parison with those of other houses in this line and 
localit}". 

j\Ir. Martin was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, 
Oct. 20, 1839. His father, Henrj- Martin, a sur- 
geon, was descended from pure German ancestry, 
and in earl}" manhood was married to Miss Anna 
Geib, a native of his own Province. After the 
birth of nine children, they emigrated to the United 
States, aud proceeding directly westward, crossed 
the Father of Waters and came into Lee County, 
locating not far from the village of West Point, 
where the father died, and was followed by the 
mother a few weeks later, in 1855. The mother's 
death was soon followed by that of her eldest son, 
all being the victims of tj'phoid fever. The re- 
maining members of the family were now obliged 
to look out for themselves, aud most of them set- 
tled down in West Point Township. 

Charles Martin was the youngest child in the 
family, and received a good education in the public 
schools of his native country. After the death of 
his parents he was emploj'ed as a clerk bj' W. K. 
Stewart, of West Point Village, who was then ex- 
tensively engaged as a dr3'-goods merchant. He 
remained with Mr. Stewart for ten j'ears and made 
for himself a good record. He then established 
himself in business on his own account, and pre- 
sents a striking example of what ma}' be accom- 
plished b\' persevering energy and an upright course. 

Mr. Martin was married, Nov. 1, 18G0, at the 
home of the bride's parents in Marion Township, 
to Miss E. L. Jarrett, a native of North Carolina, 
who was born Aug. 10, 1837. She was of Southern 
parentage, and her father and mother came to Iowa 
in 18.J0. Her father died in 1883, at the ad vauced 
age of eighty-four years; the mother is yet living 
and is over eighty. 



'rr m till III I xjJiqxjIJLXJ 




Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of seven 
children, two of whom are deceased: Nettie is the 
wife of E. T. Alter, a farmer of West Point Town- B^ggg^ 
ship; Hattie married W. H. Smith, a stenographer 
for an iron and ore firm of Chicago; Edward is a 
clerk in his father's store; William is attending 
school at the Business College in Ft. Madison; } 
Emma is with her parents at home. The deceased" 
are Ina and George. The children of Mr. Martin 
are well educated, and have received careful home 
training. The family are highly respected aud are 
connected by membership with the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. ilartin enjoys the confidence of his 
townsmen to a marked degree, and has held the va- 
rious offices of the township. He is interested in 
all matters connected with the public welfare, and 
has served as Secretary of the Agricultural Society 
of Lee County. 



#^ 



^^^ AMUEL DOYLE, Sk., deceased, formerly 
^^^ an honored resident of Ft. Madison, was a 

lil/l| native of Kentucky, born near Covington, 
Jul}' 4, 1803. His parents died when he 

was a lad of eight or ten 

bound out to learn the tailor 

ing a young man, crossed the umo ixivci lu i^iiium- ih 

nati aud engaged in the business of a merchant '"' 




tailor. In 1826 he was united in marriage with 



Miss Abigail Burt, who was born in Cincinnati jj|[i^| 
in 1812. l-^J 

Samuel Doyle turned his face toward the farther 
West in 1839, aud sought the prairies of Illinois. ^- 
His fli'st location was in Plymouth, Hancock Count} , 



where he purchased 400 acres of laud aud also a 
saw and grist mill. He disposed of the product of 
his mill to the Mormous, who at that time were 
established at Nauvoo, and were a flourishing and 
wealthy community. The county at large was gen- 
erally settled by the followers of the Mormon 
Prophet. Several years later, in 1842, while still a 
resident of Plymouth, Mr. Doyle purchased lots in 
Ft. Madison, and in this manner became one of the 
founders of the city. He eventually sold his prop- 
erty in Illinois, sojourned for one year in St. Louis, 
and then returned to the olil camping-groum 



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Cincinnati. This proved an unfortunate move, as 
about that time Cincinnati was visited by that 
dreaded disease, tiie cholera, and Mi: Do3ie was 
attacked bj' the plague, whicii so affected his eye- 
sight as in after years to cause total blindness. 

In 1849 Mr. Doyle removed to Dayton, Ohio, 
and later to Winuetka, 111. Thence after four 
years he proceeded to Ft. Madison. He was now 
in feeble health and his finances were greatly 
reduced. He still had, however, about $2,000 cash, 
beside some property', and retired from active busi- 
ness. He was an earnest Christian, a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and departed this life 
July 27, 1884. Mrs. Doyle survives her husband, 
and continues to reside in Ft. Madison. She is a 
Christian lady of high character, greatl3' respected 
bj' all who know her. .She and her husband became 
the parents of eight children, three of whom are 
deceased; the survivers are, John V. B., Julia A., 
.Samuel, Jr., James E. and Nanej'. 



^^ ICHARD .SHADWELL, a highly respected 
citizen of West Point Township, is a dealer 
in fine wines, liquors, etc., and established his 

^present business July 3, 1880. He has built 
up a prosperous and thriving trade, and is considered 
an honorable and straightforward business man. Mr. 
Shadweil is of English hirth and parentage, and was 
born in Wiltshire, England, Jan. 20, 1850. His 
father, John Shadweil, is still living in Great 
Cheverell, Wiltshire, and is a blacksmith by occu- 
pation. 

The subject of this history was the second of a 
family of four children born to his parents. The 
eldest is in Australia; the third is in New Zealand, 
and the youngest is at home in England. Richard 
was educated in the schools of his native country, 
and was about twenty-one years of .age when he 
came to the I'nited States. He located in Ohio fur 
a short time, and afterward went to Kansas, and 
traveled over nearly every portion of the State. 
He finally returned eastward to Iowa, and deciding 
that this was about as fine a location as any which 
he could secure, he concluded to settle here. He 
first beeanie engaged in running a gristmill at this 



point, where he remained for one year, and then \\ 

established his present business. He owns property 3 
in Kansas, which yields him a handsome income. 
He is still unmarried, and in politics is a conscien- 
tious Democrat. 



#># 



s: 





R. PASCHAL DAVIS, an honored citizen gt 
and esteemed physician of Keokuk, has C- 
been a resident of the Gate City since ;'; 
18G0. He is a native of Virginia, and was Bi: 
born on the 28th of July, 1837, his parents being s!f 
Paschal and Mary (Carlisle) Davis, also natives of ;; 
the Old Dominion, where the father was engaged : 
in agricultural pui'suits. He subsequently removed ; 
from his native State, and is now living in retire- = 
ment in Shelby County, Mo. The partner and g^ 
companion of his married life died in 1876. Their 
family consisted of four sous and two daughters, of 
whom, the record is as follows : Paschal is the sub- 
ject of this sketch ; John E. is a resident of Shelby 
County, Mo.; Phoebe A., now Mrs. Broughton, re- 
sides in Paris, Mo. ; James C. is a resident of Cali- 
fornia, and Christopher L., in Henry County, Mo. 
Frances F., who married John Turner, is deceased. 
The younger years of Dr. Davis were passed 
upon the farm of his father and in receiving in- 
struction at the common schools. The family came 
to Missouri in 1854 or 1855, remaining one year 
on the farm, and our subject was then sent to the 
Shelby High School, thence to Palmyra, and at- 
tended a course of study at St. Paul's College one 
year. He then came to Keokuk, and after two a 
courses of instruction in the College of Physicians g 
and Surgeons, under D. L. McGugin, graduated on B] 
the lOth of February, and received his diploma. | 
About this time the (iovernment Hospital was r. 
established at Keokuk, and Dr. Davis received the g; 
appointment as Medical Cadet, which position he & 
occupied for eighteen months, and since tiiat time Bj 
has been engaged in general practice. He ofticiated a 
as City and Township Physician for the county k 
poor from iMO.i to the present time, with the 
exception of two years. He stands high in his pro- 
fession and liclongs U> the Keokuk Medical Associ- 
ation, lie has charge of tlie small-pox liosi)ital of B|;i 



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Stock-Farm or S .F. RiCHARDS0N,5Ec.a., Green Bay Township. 



-i-^i- 




Residenceof Henry Schinstock, Sec.9, MarionTownship. 





LEE COUNTY. 



467 






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tfie city when necessity requires; was a member of 
tlie Board of Health for a mimljer of years, and in 
187G President of the same. In 1865 he estab- 
lished a quarantine cholera hospital south of the 
city on what is called the Nassau Slough. He has 
been identified with all public matters tending to 
the welfiire of the comnninit}', and has contributed 
generouslj' of his time and means for the promotion 
of ever}' good object. 

The marriage of Dr. Davis and Miss Catharine 
Shepherd, of Keokuk, was celebrated Oct. 3, 1861, 
and I if this union there have been born two chil- 
dren, daughters — Annie Belle, who died at the age of 
fifteen years, and Lizzie F., who is tinelj' educated 
and a graduate of the class of '83, in the Keokuk 
High School. They occupy a handsome residence 
at No. 1003 Blondeau street, which is the resort of 
the cultured and educated people of the city. 

Politically Dr. Davis is an uncompromising Demo- 
crat, and deeply interested in local and general 
matters. He is an extensive I'eader and a man of 
decided views, and his endorsement of anything 
affecting the welfare of his community is usually 
safe to follow. 



RICHARDSON, a prosperous 
reen Bay Township, and whose 
>iven on the opposite page, is 
pleasantly located on section 8, and con- 
ducting the affairs of his farm estate intelligently' 
and in a straightforward business manner. He is a 
native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and was born 
Feb. G, 1833. His parents, David and Jemime 
(Foster) Richardson, were born in New Jersey and 
Maryland respectively, and when single removed 
to Ohio with their parents, and settled in Hamilton 
County, near Cincinnati, where they became ac- 
quainted and married. They then removed to Han- 
cock Count}', Ind., and lived until 1846, when they 
crossed the Mississippi and located in Lee County, 
upon a farm near Ft. Madison, and engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits. There the}' remained the bal- 
ance of their lives, faithfully performing uU tiie du- 
ties devolving upon them and enjoying the confi- 
dence and esteem of a large circle of frienils. 
Their family consisted of six children, three sons 



■ I J-.iiizmim' 




and three daughters, of whom our subject, Samuel 
P., was the fifth in order of birth. Two sons and 
two daughters are still living. 

Mr. Richardson of this biography was a lad of 
four years old when his parents lemoved from Ohio 
to Indiana, and thirteen years old when they 
crossed the Father of Waters and came into this 
county in 1846. He received careful home train- 
ing and a fair education in the common schools, 
and remained under the parental roof until twenty- 
one years of age, when, wishing to see something 
moi-e of the Western country, he contracted to go 
across the plains, having in charge a large drove of 
cattle. He was absent about one year, and being 
satisfied with his experience among the farther 
western wilds, returned to Lee County, and settlnig 
upon a tract of land engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. He had been trained to habits of industry 
and economy, and became very successful in his 
agi'icultural pursuits and business transactions. Be- 
sides his farming operations Mr. Richardson is en- 
gaged in breeding thoroughbred Short-horn cat- 
tle, and high-grade Clydesdale and Hambletonian 
horses. He is now the possessor of 200 acres of 
valuable land, has a fine brick farm residence, ex- 
cellent barns and out-buildings, and is enjoying in 
a large measure the good things of this life. 

Mr. Richardson was married in Green Bay Town- 
ship, Sept. 21, 1850, to Miss Caroline Hyter, 
daughter of Abraham and Nancy A. (Phares) Hy- 
ter, natives of Maryland and New Jersey respect- 
ively. They settled in Green Bay Township in 
1845, and remained there until the close of their 
lives. The parental family included eight children, 
of whom ilrs. Richardson was the youngest. She 
was born in Dearborn County, Ind., Oct. 1, 1833, 
and remained with her parents until her marriage 
to our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel F. Richard- 
son became the parents of nine children, of whom 
five are living, and residing with their parents, viz., 
Roscoe A., Alice, Ida, Caroline and Samuel C. 
The deceased are Angeline, Clara, William F. and 
Clement C. 

Mr. Richardson enjoys the respect and confi- 
dence of his fellow-townsmen, and has lield the 
offices of Trustee and School Director. He is 
Democratic in politics, and always t:d<es an iuterest 



P 



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LEE COUNTY. 





in the affairs of his commuuity and the country at 
large. Mrs. Richaidsoii is prominently connected 
with the Christian C'liiiich at " Lost Creek," and is 
a lady held in tlic highest raspect by a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances. A lithographic view 
of the handsome residence, farm huildiugs, and fine 
stock of Mr. Hicliardsun, is shown elsewhere in this 
work. 

A. MORRISON, of the firm of Morrison 
Bros., one of the most poi)uIar and pros- 
perous business houses of Ft. Madison, is 
a native of the Buckeye State, and was born 
in New Holland, Ross County, Oct. o, 1839. His 
father, Samuel D. Morrison, was a native of New 
York, born in Orange County, and when quite 
young removed fi'om his native .State with his 
parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He 
served an apiireuticeship at blacksmitliing at Chil- 
licothe, and worked as a journeyman in Cincinnati, 
and other important Ohio towns. He finally located 
in Frankfort. Ross County, where he established 
business for himself, and was thus occupied until 
184«, wlieu he came to Ft. Madison, making the trip 
Liy canal from Chillicothe to Portsmouth, thence by 
the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to St. Louis, thence 
to Alton, where he spent the winter, and in the 
spring of 1849 came to Ft. Aladisou. Here he 
worked at his trade for a year, and then went to 
Augusta, Des Moines County, and opened a shop. 
Li the spring of 18.55 he returned to Ft. Madison, 
and commenced the manufacture of plows. His 
business was inaugurated on a small scale in a one- 
story brick building, and lu' liml one man only as 
his assistant. He was occiiincd in this manner un- 
til the breaking out of the late Civil War, and in 
18G2 the shop was closed luitil the Union army 
came out victorious and peace was restored. 

After the close of the war and the return home 
of the soldiers, Mr. Morrison again opened his shop, 
and his first plows were shipped in 18(;G. From 
that time the business gradually increased, Mr. 
Morrison taking an active part in its management 
until within a few years before his death, which 
oceured in August, 1 .ss 1 , When a young man ho had 




become united in marriage with Miss Maria Blackef , 

a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, and of this union 
there were born four children: William W . was a 
member of Co. I, 2d Iowa \'ul. Lif., and ilicd in the 
service at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, in the fall 
of 1861, at the age of twent}--four years: the sub- 
ject of our sketch is the second son ; the next was 
.loscph B. ; Samuel I), died at Portland, Ore., in 
December, 18.s.'), when thirty-four j'ears of age. 

I). A. Morrison at an earlj* age engaged with his 
f.'itlier at work in the blacksmith-shop, and was thus 
emploj-ed until 1802. The war was then in prog- 
ress, and he determined to become a soldier of the 
Union. According!}', in that >'ear he enlisted in 
Co. 1), 7th Iowa Vol. Lif., and served until the 
close of the war. He received the aii[)ointment of 
Acting C^uartermaster Sergeant, and participated 
with his regiment in the march from Chattanooga 
to Atlanta, thence to the sea, through the Carolinas, 
and via Richmond to Washington, and was there 
at the final grand review. He received his discharge 
in June, ISGTj, returned home, and engaged in pait- 
nership with his father, under the firm name of S. 
1). Morrison & Sons, and commenced the manufact- 
ure of plows. The work was done by the father, 
two sons and three other men, and the business in- 
creased lapidly, becoming very profitable. It is 
now one of the important industries of Lee County, 
and gives employment to 100 men. The shops 
cover an area of 150 to "250 feet, and in connection 
with these they have a commodious storehouse. 
The principal articles of manufacture are walking 
sulkies, gang plows and cultivators. These goods 
now obtain a readj- market in all the Western and 
Southwestern States. 

The marriage of D. A. Morrison and Miss Knnna 
Kennedy was celebrated Oct.- 29, 18G8. Mrs. Mor- 
rison was born at Ft. Jladison, and is the daughter 
of John (i. and Mary (\'ance) Kennedj-. Of this 
union liave been born three children — Maude K., 
Ivl. Iv. anil Don D. Politically Mr. Morrison uni- 
formly casts his vote with the Republican party, 
and socially he is a member in good standing of 
James Sample Po.st, G. A. R. The family occupy 
one of the handsomest homes within the citj' limits 
of Ft. Madison. They are highly respe(;ted within 
their community and are valued citizens, not only 



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LEE COUNTY. 



; as having added largely' to the industrial interests 
; of Ft. Madison, but as intelligent and cultivated 
il members of society. 



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3 <« J^ILLIAM BEARD. This gentleman ranks 
3 \/jJ// ^^"^^S ^'^'^ honort'd pioneers of Cedar 
H VTxP Township, and is held in tiie highest es- 
: teem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances 
S in this section, where he has lived for the greater 
H part of forty 3'ears. He came here when the coun- 
: try was comparativelj' wild and unljroken and, put- 
5 ting his shoulder to the wheel, in common with his 
; brother pioneers, aided materially in the develop- 
ment of the soil and in the onward march of civili- 
ja zation. lie has watched with unabated interest the 
g remarkable changes along the Mississippi Valley 
since he first viewed with admiration the majesty 
o£ the Father of Waters, and the undoubted re- 
sources of the country along its valley. He has 
rejoiced in its prosperity as a father rejoices over 
the health and strength of a favorite child. 

Mr. Beard is of English birth and parentage, a 
native of Parish Lambeth, Surrey County, En- 
gland, and was born on the 29th of July, 1819. He 
is the son of AVilliam and Marj" (Wilson) Beard, 
who spent their lives in their native England. 
Their son William was but one year old when he 
j was bereft of the tender care of his mother, and 
I five years later he was fully orphaned b}^ the death 
! of his father. He then went to live with his pater- 
nal grandmother, and two years later she also died. 
He was then placed in the care of his uncle, 
I Thomas Beard, who provided a good home for the 
lonely boy, and exercised over him a father's care. 
With his uncle he remained until he was seventeen 
years of age. He was now desirous of starting out 
to battle for himself, and going to London boarded 
a whaling- vessel, the " Folkstone," owned by Ma- 
jorah Banks and commanded by Capt. Andrew 
Bliss. His first trip occupied thirty-three months, 
and the next was made on the vessel •' Fawn," and 
embraced a cruise of forty months. Young Beard 
now became satisfied with his experience as a 
sailor, and after reaching terra firma decided to 
change his occupation. He was first engaged as a 




clerk in an establishment foV the manufacture of 
enameled leather, which position he occupied until 
lH4r), and then embarked for America. He set sail 
from London in April, and landed at New Orleans 
in Jlay. From the Crescent City he proceeded di- 
rectly to St. Louis, thence to Keokuk, and soon 
afterward came into Cedar Township, Lee County, 
rented land and engaged in furniiug. He was thus 
occupied for one season, then went to St. Louis and 
engaged in steamboating for the following t\v 
years. He then became engaged in that city with 
the firm of (iatz & McCune, as a workman in their 
machine-shops remaining two^'cars, and then clerked 
for Wilson & Robertson, dealers in and manufactur- 
ers of hydraulic presses and patent lead pipe. 

Li 1.S48 Mr. Beard returned to Cedar Township 
and resolved to settle down permanently to agri- 
cultural pursuits. He purchased fifty acres of land 
on section 29, which forms a part of his present 
homestead. Twenty acres of this were broken and 
fenced, and there was a log cabin upon it, which 
was covered with clapboards. Into this he removed 
with his family, where they made themselves as 
comfortable as possible. He industriously set him- 
self to work to improve and cultivate his little 
farm, and as time passed by added to his acreage 
until he is now the possessor of 150 acres, all under 
a good state of cultivation. The log cabin has been 
replaced by a substantial frame residence, and 
the homestead is beautified by ornamental shade 
trees. He has a good barn, valuable farm imple- 
ments and machinery, and everything necessary for 
the carrying on of agriculture after the latest and 
most improved methods. 

William Beard was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary Bristow, Oct. 2.3, 1847. She is a native of 
London, England, horn in Thames street on the 1st 
of March, 1829. Her father, James Bristow, was of 
English birth and parentage, and was engaged as a 
wholesale fish merchant with the firm of Linn, (iib- 
son <fe Co., of London. He died when his daugh- 
ter, the wife of our subject, was a babe of ten 
months old. The maiden name of tiie mother of 
Mrs. Beard was Jane Arnold, and she was a native 
of Oxfordshire. England. In due time after the 
death of her first husband she was married to Will- 
iam Bateman. They came to America in 184 4, and 




settled in Cedar Township, wlieie Mr. Bateman pur- 
chased an Improved farm on section 32. They aft- 
erward removed tu Van Huron County, tlience to 
Farmington, where he spent the last j'ears of his 
life. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Beard, died in 
Cedar Township in IBIJT. 

Mr. and Mrs. Beard huvt^ become tlie parents of 
twelve children, as follows: Mary J., William S., 
Elizabeth, Emma, Jessie, Ciiarlesand Henry (twins), 
Fremont I.,., Annie, Arnold, Thomas B. and Rosa 
Belle. This fine family of children are all living, 
have received careful home training and good edu- 
cations, and are an honor to their proud parents. 
Mr. and Mrs. Beard are members in good standing 
of the Christian Church, and politically Mr. Beard 
afliliatcs with the Republican part3\ 




MZI MORRISON, the subject of this his- 
tory, occupies a prominent position among 
the business interests of Ft. Madison as a 
dealer in coal, wood and flour. He is an 
■pr-CT- energetic and straightforward business man, up- 
Iq H right in his dealings, and enjoys in a marked degree 
the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 
Our subject comes of e.xcellent Pennsylvania stock, 
and was born in Beaver, Pa., Aug. 29, 1843. His 
father, Joseph Morrison, was a native of the same 
town and county, and was reared to agricultural 
pursuits in his native place. He was married there 
in early manhood and remained a citizen of that 
locality until 1848, when, accompanied by his fam- 
ily, he started for the State of Iowa, via the Ohio 
and Mississippi Rivers irom Pittsburgh. He first 
located in Summitville, Lee County, and then 
moved upon a farm which he rented for one year. 
From there lie removed to Charleston, where he 
[ rented land for a time, and afterward purchased a 
[ farm, upon which he lived until 1868, thence re- 
; moved to Scotland County, Mo., where he re- 
mained until his retirement from active labor. He 
now lives with his daughter, Mrs. M. J. Spencer, in 
Warren County, k)wa. The maiden name of his 
wife was Eliza McClure, a native of his own State. 
She accompanied him on his journey West, and de- 
parted this life while they were in Charleston. 





Amzi Morrison was a lad of five years old 
wlicn he came to Lee Countj' with his parents. 
Here he grew to manhood on the farm, and re- 
ceived a fair education in the district schools. Ilr 
remained with his parents until he was twenty 
years of age, and in isfifi came to Ft. Madison .iml 
has been a resident of this city since that time. He 
was an enterjH'ising and energetic j'oung num. 
anxious to " hoe his own row, " and took pride in 
accomplishing, unaided, what man j' others failed to 
do with the assistance of friends and relatives. For 
many years he was engaged in draying, and in 188,5 
established his present business. He has been 
prominent in the local affairs of the vicinity, and 
has served as Citj' Marshal and Constable. 

The marriage of Mr. Morrison and Miss Marga- 
ret J. Huffman took place in 1805. Mrs. M. is a 
Virginian lady, and of her marriage with our subject 
there have been born five children, as follows: 
Nancy J., Enoch A., Minerva J., Cora B. and 
Burdie A. They occupy a pleasant home, and are 
surrounded by all the comforts of life. Mr. and 
Mrs. M. are connected with the Baptist Church. 
Mr. Morrison is a member of Ft. Madison Lodge 
No. 157, I. O. O. F., and Gem City Lodge No. 21, 
K. of P., also of Camp No. G, Triple Alliance. He 
is Democratic in politics, and conscientiously casts 
liis vote in support of the principles of that party. 

^T^jOBERT E. SMITH (deceased), late of Ft. 
jL^ Madison, and occupying the position of 
ttUV head book-keeper for Knapp, Stout ife 
^^Compau}', departed this life Jan. 13, 1887, 
in that city. Mr. Smith was a native of Rounds, 
England, and was born Oct. 0, 183JS. His paients 
were Thomas and Mary (Ekins) Smith, both natives 
of the same countrj', who came to the United States 
in 1848, and settled at Ft. Madison, Iowa. Their 
son received a fair education in the common 
schools, and in 1860 commenced business for him- 
self as clerk on river boats, following this for about 
ten years. He then became associated with E. A. 
(iibbs in the lumber tr.ade, remaining with him 
until July, 1885, when he entered upon tlie duties 
of the position he occupied until his death. 



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LEE COUNTY. 



The inaniage of Robert E. Smith and Miss Julia 
S., daughter of Edward A. and Emeline Gibbs, was 
celebrated Sept. 30, 1866. Mrs. Smith was born in 
Lee County, Oct. 27, 1844, and by her marriage 
with our subject became the mother of one daugh- 
ter, Valhe M. 

Mr. Smith was of a pleasant and genial disposi- 
tion, and highly esteemed among his friends and 
acquaintances. He was Treasurer of the Episcopal 
Church, with which he was connected for a number 
of years, and Secretary of Stella Lodge No. 440, 
A. F. & A. M. ; also a member of Potowonok 
Chapter No. 28, E. A. M., and Damascus Com- 
mandery No. 5, K. T. 



EV. ELIJAH WILLIAMSON, one of the 
most honored residents of Montrose Town- 
lAs 'A\ ship, owning and occupying a comfortable 
^©) homestead on section 36, has been a resi- 
dent of the Hawkeye State since 1856. He made 
his first location in Van Buren County, where he 
purchased 200 acres of land, and in 18511 removed 
from there to Lee County. Here he is the pro- 
prietoi' of forty-seven acres, finely improved, upon 
which he is spending his later days, practically re- 
tired from active labor, though he officiates as a 
minister of the Gospel every Sabbath. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of Hert- 
ford County, N. C, and was born May 2, 1804. 
His parents, Francis and Elizabeth (Worrell) Will- 
iamson, were natives respectively of Southampton 
County, Va., and Hertford County, N. C. Their 
household consisted of seven children, namely, 
Elijah, James, Francis, John, Benjamin, Daniel and 
Mary E. Our subject and his sister Mary E., who 
became the wife of Ornian Bryant, are the only 
ones living. Elijah remained with his parents dur- 
ing his earlier years, receiving careful home train- 
ing, and a good education in the subscription 
schools, which was supplemented by attendance 
several terms at a select school in the city of Mur- 
freesboro, N. C. 

After reaching manhood Mr. Williamson was 
united in marriage, June 15, 1823, with Miss 
Charlotte Keene. who was a native of Nansemond 




County, Va., and was born Feb. 15, 1796. ShelJ 
remained the faithful and affectionate comp.inion ( 
of her husb.and thirty-one years, and departed this flH|{ 
life Jan. 3, 1 854, deeply lamented by her family ||Hj 
and a large circle of friends. She was an amiableE 
and worthy lady, and a member oi the New 
Light Christian Church. Of the four children born 

of this union, two died in childhood. Those surviv- C 

I 




ing are, Elislia T., a druggist in Montrose, and Mary 
E., who became the wife of John A. Hiller, a far- 
mer of Van Buren County. Mr. Williamson con- 
tracted a second m.arriage, Nov. 14, 1854, with 
Miss Susannah Sample, a native of Frederick 
Count}', Va., the date of her birth being M.ay 11, 
1813. Of this marriage there have been no chil- 
dren. 

The greater part of the life of our subject has 
been spent in the Christian ministry. He com- 
menced his ministerial labors when but eighteen 
years of age, was ordained in 1832, and has occu- 
pied the pulpit for the last fifty-six ^-eais, his labors 
having been mostly confined to the Christian 
Church. During the war lie was a stanch Union man, 
and no prayers were m<jre fervent than his in be- 
half of the success of the Union troops and the aboli- 
tion of slavery. The existence of the Latter in his 
native State w.is the chief cause of his removal from 
there, together with the law which had recently been 
passed and which infringed upon the right of free 
speech wherever it conflicted with the institution 
of slavery, cutting him off from the safe expression 
of views antagonistic to the peculiar institution. H hi 
In politics he was early identified with the Whig [f^^i 
party, his first Presidential vote being cast for 
Henry Clay. Since the organization of the Repub- 
lican party he has cordially endorsed its principles, 
voting twice for the inimortal Lincoln, and prob- 
ably no man or Christian minister in all this liroad 
country was Ijetter pleased than Mr. Williamson 
when Lincoln with his Emancipation Proclamation 
struck the shackles from 4,000,000 slaves. 

After leaving his native State Mr. Williamson 
first located in Darke County, (^hio, where he 
served as a Christian minister for twenty-three 
years without compensation, in the meantime labor- 
ing with his hands for his subsistence. In 1856 he 
came into this State, settling in Van Buren County, 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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whence lie reinoverl, ill 1H;')',I, to Lee County. Al- 
though, as before stated, he has declined receivinji' 
remuneration for his pious services, he states in his 
quaint way, " That Piovideiiee has amply provided " 
forhiin. He has always been industrious and frugal, 
and fiuni iiis earnings has secured a comfortable 
home. To each of his two children lie has pre- 
sented $1,700, and still has quite a generous sum at 
his disposal. 

Ill early manhuod Mr. Williamson was strong 
and robust, but in 185'J was attacked with a chronic 
ailment, from the effects of which he has never fully 
recovered. He has taught and preached in this lo- 
calit}' for twenty-seven years, and aided by every 
means in his [lower the progress of religion, mor- 
ality and temperance, and now in his closing days, 
surrounded by his grandchildren and his gi-eat- 
grandchildren, who tender him the most affection- 
,ate attention, he is slowly and happily descending 
the sunset hill of life. His grandson, with the 
amiable and loving wife of the latter, carefully look 
after his every want, and he in turn regards them 
with the paternal love of the old patriarch who 
realizes that tlie sands of life are nearly run out. 
They together constitute a happy household, and 
now at the advanced age of eightj^-three years, with 
his mental faculties unimpaired, and happy in the 
companionship of his aged wife, he is quietly await- 
ing the summons which shall transplant his soul to 
realms of eternal happiness. 

The accompanying portrait of Mr. Williamson we 
know will be hooked upon with pleasure by the 
scores of friends among whom he has walked for 
the last half century, and whose familiar lines they 
have always been pleased to gaze upon. 




•■>S^>«^>t^ 



Vf*tf-»'^5<f-- 





!J^E0R(4P: SCHAEFER, residing at Keokuk 
is Deputy Treasurer of Lee County, and 
[las his ofiice in that city. He is a native of 
(Germany, and was born Oct. 9, 1833, in the village 
of Seckbach, near Frankfort on the Main. He en- 
tered the coniinon schools of his native country 
when six years of age, and continued his studies 
there until he was twelve years old, when he set 
psailforthe L'nited .States, in company with his 



father and mother. Arriving in Xew York City in 
.lune of the same year, they went immediately to 
Cincinnati, Ohio. In l!S.'i(;, when in his twent\ 
third year, our subject came to Keokuk, this couiity. 
and located. Soon afterward he engaged in the 
cigar and tobacco business, and was thus occupicl 
for some years, meeting with sign.al success. 

In April, I Sill, Mr. Schaefer enlisted in the Isl 
Regiment, Iowa Vol. Inf., with the rank of Ser- 
geant. He was City Collector for the years of 
1 877-78-70, .and also served as a member of the 
City Council of Keokuk for six years. He w:i- 
also on the Board of School Directors one year. 
Mr. Schaefer was apjiointed Deputy Treasurer of 
Lee County, Jan. 1, 188G, and h.is filled that office 
with honor to himself and entire satisfaction to all. 

In I.So7 Mr. S. was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary A'enthur, of Keokuk. She died in 1885, 
leaving five children: Emma, Mrs. William Heller; 
Amelia, (ieorge, Albert and Herman. Our subject 
was married the second time, in October, 1886, at 
which time ]\Irs. W. Laehm became his wife. Mr. 
Schaefer is a member of St. Paul's Church, German 
Lutheran, and is one of the well-known and re- 
spected citizens of the city of his adoption. 

^—^ -i^^- •^^- 



ENRY REITZ, who is located on a tine 
homestead on section 1.5, in \an Bnren 
Township, is carrying on farming operations 
in a highly creditable and successful man- 
ner, and is one of the highly respected citizens of 
Lee County'. Mr. Reitz was born in Williamsburg, 
L. I., in November, 1854, and is the sou of 
Conrad and Frances (Gurmer) Reitz, both natives 
of (ierniany, who came to America before their 
marriage, the father in 1 846, and the mother in 
1H.52. They are both living and are residents of 
Franklin Township, Lee County. The parental 
household consisted of eleven children, of whom 
the subject of fiur sketch is the eldest; Katie is de- 
ceased ; Sopiiy R. became the wife of A. C. Rncliol/. ; 
the others are Fred M., Conrad J., Maiy A., Charlie, 
Adam, Magdalena, Wilhelmina and Matilda. 

Mr. Reitz came to Iowa in 18C7, and kicated at 
Ft. .Madison, where he remained one month, and 





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then came tu Franklin. Here he lived for several 
years, and in 187(j was united in marriage with Miss 
]\Iatilda Vornkahl, the wedding taking place on the 
(;th of August. Mrs. Reitz is a native of Lee 
C'ount3-, and was born in Harrison Township Aug. 
21, 1854. She is the daughter of Henry and Wil- 
lielniina Vornkahl, her mother having been Miss 
(i raves ljef<.)re her marriage. The parents of Mrs. 
Reitz were natives of Hanover, Germany, and their 
family consisted of ten children, as follows: 
Louise, Sophia, Emma and Julia (twins), Frederick, 
Matilda, Eleanor, Martha and Magdalena (twins), 
and Wilhelmina. 

Mr. and Jlrs. Henry Reitz have become the par- 
ents of five children, of whom one died in in- 
fancy; those living are Eleanor W., Fred William, 
Emma M. and Oliver L. C. Mr. Reitz has 26U 
acres of finely cultivated land, all in one body. In 
18JjO he erected a beautiful farm dwelling at a cost 
of $3,000, and his barns and out-buildings corre- 
spond in every respect with the residence. He is a 
man of influence in his community, and has held the 
uUices of Road Supervisor and Treasurer of the 
School Board. He is a Democrat in politics, and a 
member in good standing of the Evangelical 
Church. 

-^ €-*^ ^— 

\\l F. SMITH, attorney at law, Keokuk, and 
also connected with the firm of J. F. & N. 
M. Smith, dealers in real estate and abstract- 
ors of titles, is one of the promising j-oung 
l)rofessional men of Keokuk. Mr. Smith was born 
on a farm near Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, Oct. 7, 
1848. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, 
was M. D. Smith, a native of New Jersey; his death 
took place in Ohio. Our subject's mother, whose 
maiden name was Minerva A. James, was born near 
Cannonsliurg, Pa., and is still living. She became 
the mother of two sons and one daughter — E. A., a 
resident of Washington Territor}-, J. F. and Nan- 
nie M. 

J. F. Smith came to Keokuk in the spring of 
1857, and located on a farm near Charleston, this 
county. There he lived with his grandfather until 
18(14, engaged the while in farm labor, and during 
that year removed to Kei>kuk. It wa.s in that cit}' 




LEE COUNTY 




that our subject began to do for himself as an er- 
rand boy, and was occupied in clerical work for [ 
about eight years, gaining quite a knowledge of " jmb^ 
mercantile business. H^ \ 

In 1872 Jlr. Smith became interested in real-es- ■JSBMJ 
tate business. While thus engaged he read law and 
was admitted to the bar in 1876, since which time 
he has given considerable attention to that profes- 
sion. In 1875 he formed a partnership with N. M. 
Smith in the real-estate business, which connection 
still exists. 

Our subject was married in the fall of 187'J to 
Margaret, the daughter of L. W. Buell, an earlj' 
settler of this county. Mrs. Smith was born in 
this county, and bj' her marriage with our subject 
three children have been born — Ralph B.. Marga- 
ret A. and Ruth R. 



PI 




AJ. WILLIAM B. COLLINS, of Keokuk, 
is one of the leading members of the Lee 
County bar, and has built up an extensive 
practice, having been located here for a 
period jof forty-five years. He has also established 
a reputatitm as a man of fine talent and great busi- 
ness energ}', and as a citizen his value cannot be 
over-estimated. His birth occurred Aug. 22, 1841, 
and he was only two years of age when his parents, 
Dr. F. M. and Harriet E. (Sullivan) Collins, re- 
moved from their native State, Indiana, across the 
Mississippi. Dr. Collins was a physician and sur- 
geon, and an eminent member of his profession. 
He was born in Chester County, Ind., his parents 
being natives of Kentuckj'. He was married to 
the mother of our subject in 1 838, and thej- be- 
came the parents of two children, both sons, Will- 
iam B. of our sketch, and J. A. M. They came to 
Keokuk in 1843, while Iowa was yet a Territory, 
and Dr. Collins engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession until his death, which occurred in February, 
1880. The wife and mother had preceded her hus- 
band to the better land in 1855. They occupied a 
high position among the best residents of the Gate 
City. 

Maj. Collins of our sketch passed his youth in 
the city of Keokuk, aiid received his primary edu- 



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cation iu the public schools. He subsequently at- 
tended the Academy of Charlotte ville and took a 
college course of two years in New York, where he 
prosecuted his studies vigorously, having in view 
the profession of law. Upon his return to Keokuk, 
the late Civil War being then in progress, he en- 

. _ . listed as a soldier in Co. F, 7th Mo. Vol. Inf., serv- 
dhi ing iu the ariuj' over three years. His regiment 

[j^^i] belonged to the 3d Division, 17th Army Corps, 
commanded by Gen. Mel'herson, and our subject 
took part in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, 
Gen. Grant being in command of the forces which 
concentrated at that point. Upon the retreat to 
Memphis he engaged with his comrades in the bat- 
tle of Thompson Hills, and was afterward at the 
battle of .Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, Black 
River Bridge, and the various other engagements 
of the campaign, and finally at St. Louis, Mo., was 
mustered out with his regiment, retiring with the 
rank of Major, after having served as Orderly Ser- 



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ij h geaut, First Lieutenant and Captain, 
jp^ Maj. Collins, at the ckise of his military career, 
"' returned to Keokuk, and entered the law office of 
the firm of Rankin & McCrary, the members of the 
lirm l)eing .lolni \V. Rankin and Hon. George \V. 
McCrurv, where he read law for two and one-half 
years, after which lie was admitted to the bar. 
opened an ofHce of his own, and began the practice 
of Ills profession in February, 18G7. He w.as 
elected City Attorney- in 1.S72, and soon became a 
leader in the public affairs of tlie young and rapidly 
gi-owing city. In addition to his profession he has 
^^ been largely interested in the various business en- 
terprises of the city. He was one of the four men 
who established and is President of the Pickle Fac- 
tory Company, and also a huge stockholder of the 
Keokuk Canning Company. He has been the sup- 
porter of every worthy enterprise in this vicinity 
since he became identified with the interests of Lee 
ounty. 

Mr. Collins was married, Oct. 4, 1.S70, to Miss C. 
Idl';. Copelin, a lad3' of line education and rare ac- 
complishments, and the third daughter of -lohu R. 
L'opclin, Esq., of Keokuk. Their unit)n has been 
lest by the birth of six ciiildren, five sous and one 
laugliter — William C, John .M., .Joseph .S.. Harry 
{., Carrie L. and Aithiir \N". Tlie family occupy 





31 



a handsome residence, and are surrounded by all 
the appliances of refined and cultivated tastes. 
The}' enjoy the confidence and esteem of a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances, composed of c; 
the best society of the Gate City. The Major is a Ia 
prominent member of St. John's Episcopal Church, 
to the support of which he contributes cheerfully 
and liberally. 



^11 L\'IN S. HIATT, a prosperous and suc- 
@^l cessful agriculturist of Harrison Township, 
owns and occupies a fine homestead on sec- 
tion 2. Mr. Hiatt is a native of Indiana and 
was born on the (Jth of .January, lH4o. His father, 
Daniel W. Hiatt, was from Guilford County, N. C, 
which was also the birthplace of his grandfather, 
Isaac; Hiatt. There the latter was reared and ed- 
ucated, and was there also married in early man- 
hood. He removed from his native State to Ohio, 
where he was an early pioneer, and locating at 
Dayton, engaged in teaching, which became his 
lifelong occupation. In 1843 he crossed the Mis- 
sissippi, and coming into Iowa, located in Henry 
Count}', where he f(jllowed his profession and 
where his life terminated. His remains were laid 
to rest in tiie cemetery of the Society of Friends. 

Daniel W. Hiatt, the father of our subject, was 
but a child when his parents removed from North 
Carolina to Ohio. Under the instruction of his 
father he obtained a good education, and before 
his marriage was occupied as a teacher. After 
this event he engaged iu farming upon rented land 
until the fall of 1843, when, with his wife and one 
child, he started overland for the Territory of 
Iowa. Their outfit consisted of a team of horses 
and a wagon, which contained their household 
goods, and they camped and cooked by the way- 
side. After reaching the western bank of the Mis- 
sissippi, he located upon a tract of rented land iu 
Henry County, where he remained for two or three 
years, and then entered a claim on section 2 of 
what is now Harrison Township. He l)uilt a board 
house, into which the family removed, and which 
remained his home until his death, which occurred 
Jan. 24, 18,5ii. The maiden name of the mother of 
our subject w:is Mary Hampton, and she was the 



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daughter of Alu-aham and Rebecca Hampton (see 
sketch of Abraham Hampton). (She is still living, 
and resides in Birmingham, Van Bureu Co., Iowa. 
The parental household consisted of seven children, 
three of whom died in earl}' youth. Alvin S., our 
subject, was the eldest child; Caroline L. is de- 
ceased; Margaret is the wife of J. W. Wolf, of 
Birmingham, Iowa; Laura E. is the wife of James 
Corry, of Birmingham. 

Alvin S. Hiatt was but an infant when his par- 
ents came to Iowa. He was reared on the farm, 
and educated in the pioneer schools, and was but 
sixteen years old when his father died. Being the 
eldest son, the care of the farm devolved upon him^. 
and with the exception of one year, he has re- 
mained upon the homestead since that time. He 
was married on the 18th of October, 1876, to Miss 
Catharine A. Dawson, a native of Wolf Island, 
Canada, and daughter of John and Rachel (Knight) 
Dawson, who were born in the Dominion. Of this 
union there are four children — Orlando L., Harold 
D., Blanche O. and Mabel I. Mr. and Mrs. II. are 
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
and in politics Mr. Hiatt is strongly Republican. 



I ICE H. BELL, a well-known and respected 
citizen of Keokuk, Iowa, whose portrait is 
shown_on^the opposite page, is an attorney 
^and Justice of the Peace, having been 
elected to this office in the fall of 1884, and re- 
elected in 188G. Mr. Bell came to Keokuk in 1880, 
and commenced the study of law under the instruc- 
tion of John H. Craig, being admitted to the bar 
two years later, in 1882. He is yet young in the 
profession, and there is every prospect that he will 
succeed and become a bright light among his pro- 
fessional brethren. 

Mr. Bell is a native of West Virginia, and was 
born in Marshall County, Sept. 7, 1859. His fa- 
ther, James R. Bell, is a native of Washington 
County, Pa., and removed from his native State 
when a young man to West \'irginia. He was 
there united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Will- 
iams, who was a native of Frederick County, Md. 
After the death of his father, in 1805, James R. Bell 




returned to Pennsylvania, ijurchased the old home- 
stead, and resided in the place of his birth until his 
demise, which occurred Nov. 30, 1886. The par- 
ental family consisted of ttve children: Samuel M. is 
a station agent and telegraph operator at West Alex- 
andria, Pa. ; the second son is the subject of our 
sketch; William B. was brakeman on a railroad 
train, and was killed Jan. 15, 1884, at the age of 
twenty-one years; John G. is station agent and 
telegraph operator in Pennsylvania; Mary M. re- 
sides at West Alexandria, the same State. 

Rice H. Bell remained with his parents on the 
farm during his youth and received his primary 
education in the public schools. He then en- 
tered the AVest Alexandria Academy, where he 
took a full course, and subsequently attended 
Washington and Jefferson College, from which he 
graduated in 1880. Mr. Bell has made steady pro- 
gress since he first entered upon the practice of his 
profession. He is strongly Republican in politics 
and is ready and willing at all times to labor for 
the welfare of his party and its principles. He is at 
present Chairman of the County Central Committee 
and is becoming prominent in the local politics of 
this section. He is one of the Directtus of the 
Central Stove Works. Socially he is a member of 
the K. of P. 

Mr. Bell was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
E. Culbertson, in August, 1883. Mrs. Bell is the 
daughter of James and Emily B. Culbertson, of 
Stark County, 111., and was born in that county in 
August, 1859. Bj' her luiion with Mr. Bell she has 
become the mother of two children, James Rice and 
Plessie B. 

« arc ..^i^SSSSSSSW^-— 3« 





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LOIS WEBER, of Keokuk, is senior mem- 
ber of the firm of A. Weber & Co., one of 
the substantial hardware houses of the Gate 
City. Mr. Weber has been a resident of 
Keokuk for a i)eriod of nearly thirty years. H 
mercantile experience began in early life, when 
entered the hardware store of H. Buel & Co 
whom he remained as clerk for about seven 
In 1868 he associated himself in partncrshij 
James Neill, and under the style of A. 
it Co. they engaged in the hardware trade, aiul 



-mirxxAiniTixinrTxlxJixiT 











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the exercise of energy, industry and close applica- 
tion to business, built up a large and flourishing 
jtatronage. At the expiration of two years Mr. 
Weber purchased the interest of his partner, and 
after continuing the business for four months, took 
in as partner Mr. C. K. Primean, the firm name 
iieing then Weber it Primean, and the}' conducted 
the business jointly for two 3'ears following. 

The firm of Weber & Primean did not prosper, 
and the financial crisis of 1873 aided its downfall. 
Mr. Weber believed that by purchasing the inter- 
est of his partner :md with tlie financial assistance 
of his wife, he would be alile to weather the com- 
ing storm, and this he could have accomplished 
had not some over-anxious creditors thrown him 
into bankruptcy. He made a satisfactory compro- 
mise with the majority of them, and resumed his 
business with an honest purpose to amend his fort- 
unes and regain his former standing'in the business 
community. His credit had remained unimpaired 
among those who knew him best, and he was freely 
proffered any assistance wliich he might need. He 
recovered from his disaster in due time and paid 
the portion of the debt which had been remitted 
and canceled in the court of bankruptcy. The 
manner in which the trade received this action on 
the part of Mr. Weber is shown by the many let- 
ters he received, a few uf which we give below. 

.St. Loris, April 20, 188.5. 
Ai.(jis Wkbkk, Es(^, Keokuk, Iowa: 

Dear Sir — Your esteemed favor of the 16th in- 
closing us a draft for § received in settle- 
ment of old account. It is indeed refreshing to 
receive such a letter as yours in this, the nine- 
teenth century, and leads us to believe the world 
is not quite so l»ad as some people endeavor to 
make us believe. To tell you the truth we have 
not language .at our command to express our opin- 
ion in regard to this transaction. We feel like hav- 
ing your letter published in every paper in St. 
Louis, as most assuredly it goes to show there is 
one honest man at least in America. If we can 
serve you in any way, command us. 
Yours truly, 

L. M. RiMiSKV Miu. Co. 

Per Rumsey, Sec. 

Nkw Yokk, April I'O, f88;"). 
Ml!. Alois A\ici!i;it, Keokuk, Iowa: 

Dear >>ir — We are duly in receipt of your valued 
favor of IGth iust. endorsing draft, for which we 




beg to extend to yon our best thanks. AVe cci 
tainly very much appreciate your obedience i^ 
the higher law which has influenced your actioii>. 
and to convey to you our estimate of worth of 
char.acter we beg leave to say that we shall esteem 
it a pleasure if we can in any wa>- contribute to 
your worthy success in life, and as the only way 
that now presents itself, we beg to advise that 3'our 
credit is A 1 with our house. 

A'ery truly j-onrs, 

Ai.i'i.M'.i) FiKi.i) & Co. 

RivEi;Tf>N, CoNx., May 5, 18iS5. 
Ai.oi.s \\'ki'.i:i;. Ksi^., Keokuk, Iowa: 

Dear Sir — In acknowledging the receipt of ^our 
check fo: § we wish to congratulate the world 

oil its possession of an honest man. Your example 
will be to us an incentive to do always the siiuare 
thing in our dealings with our fellow-men. We 
desire to congratulate j-ou on your success in luisi- 
ness and also upon the real satisfaction you must 
have ill doing the almost unheard-of thing that you 
have done, viz., paying a debt from which you 
were legally- free. The God of heaven and eartli 
has blest you with a good and honest heart, .aud 
your reward is certain. 

Y'ours truly, 

£.\(iHi Scythe Co. 

L. A. Cook, Sec'y. 

GosiiKN, N. Y., M.'iy 1. I880. 
Alois Wkheu, Es(j., Keokuk, Iowa: 

Dear Sir — Yours of 23d ult. was duly received 
and draft applied as specified. Localities, of course, 
differ, and yours may be filled with jii.st such men 
as you have shown yourself to be in this transac- 
tion, but out here j-ou would be decidedly lone- 
some. Please accept our congratulations on your 
improved circumstances, which vve doubt not, have 
been largely brought about by the ap]>lie:ition of 
the principles you have exhibited in tliis matter in 
:ill your business affairs. 

Tiiankiug you for the draft, we are, 

Very trul}' yours, 

RlUKH EXOIXK Co. 

Mr. Weber has built up a business extending 
tliroughout the .States of Iowa, Illinois and Mis- 
souri. He has associated with himself .John Cos- 
grove, as partner, also his nephew, Carl Weber, and 
these constitute a strong and active firm. The 
business is now well established and widely known 
.as one of the most reliable houses of its kind In this 
section of the Ilawkeye State. 

Mr. Weber w;is married in 1860, to .Miss Anna 
King, of Keokuk, Iowa, who was reared and cd 



BE I 



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LEE COUNTY. 



481 



ented in St. Louis. Of this union there hns been 
boin one child — a son, Frank J. 

Mr. Weber is a native of Germany, and was born 
Feb. 12, 1834. He came to America at the age uf 
twenty years, and his business successes have been 
tlio result of his own perseverance amid ditiiculties 
which would have dismaj'ed most men. Although 
taking a general and intelligent interest in the 
affairs of his community, he has been so absorbed 
in attending to his own business that he has never 
iiad time for oflice-seeking or its emoluments, and 
has lived the unostentatious life of a private citizen, 
doing kind acts as he had opportunity and casting 
his influence in favor of temperance, sobrietj', law 
and order, and has thus fulfilled all the obligations 
of a good citizen. In national politics Mr. W. 
votes the Democratic ticket; in local politics he 
votes for the man. Mr. Weber is a member of the 
Roman Catholic Church. 



.^Sf*^- 



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<^*ei— 




^, ROF. CHANDLER H. PEIRCE, Superin- 
tendent of the Penmanship Department 
of the Keokuk City Schools, is a prominent 
man in his profession, and the author of 
several valuable works, among which are " Peirce's 
§ Progressive System of Practical Penmanship, with 
S Methods of Instruction," and "Peirce's Philosoph- 
ical Treatise of Penmanship," Xoh. 1 and 2 ; also 
" Peirce's Celebrated Tracing' Exercises." He is 
also proprietor of Pierce's Business College at 
Keokuk. 

Prof. Peirce is a native of South Charleston, 
Ohio, and the date of his birth was June 13, 1847. 
Jle is the son of Jacob and Miriam (Chandler) 
Peirce, natives of Pennsylvania ai»d Ohio respect- 
ively. His grandfather, Jonathan Peirce, came 
from Westchester, Pa., to Ohit> in the pioneer days, 
and became the owner of 3,000 acres of laud located 
in Clarke C'ounty. Upon a portion of this he car- 
5 ried on an extensive farming business and was a 
man of great prominence in his county. His three 
sons were flnel3^ educated, and after completing 
their studies returned to the farm. There the 
'- father departed this life in 1848. 



Jacob Peirce became a dealer in fine stock, and 
was thus engaged until 188U, when he removed 
with his wife to Denver, Col., to escape her annual 
attacks of asthma. During the war he served 
as a soldier of the I'nion, enlisting in the 4th 
Ohio Cavalry, of which he was a commissioned 
officer. He was an efficient soldier and never 
swerved from dutj-. His whole life has been de- 
voted to good works and he has taken an active 
interest in chinx-hes, schools, and the upbuilding 
of every institution calculated for the good of the 
community, morally, intellectually or socially. Both 
he and his wife were reared in the (Quaker faith, and 
remained loyal to their church until they were 
sep.irated from it by lemoval to a locality where it 
had no organization, when they united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Their family con- 
sisted of seven children, of whom only four are 
living: Susan D., now Mrs. Blessing, of South 
Charleston, Ohio; Prof. C. H. of our sketch; Frank, 
of San Diego, Cal., who is engaged in real estate 
and insurance, and William, of Denver, Col., who 
has been Assistant State Auditor since 1878. 

The subject oi oiu' sketch remained under the 
parental roof until fourteen years of age. He re- 
ceived his pi'imary education in the public schools 
of his native town and assisted in the lighter labors 
of the farm. He then started out to do for himself, 
first proceeding to Camp Nelson, where he was 
engaged in Government work, driving a team and 
hauling supplies from Camp Nelson to Cumberland 
Gap, Tenn. The novelty of this employment soon 
wore off and he returned home and re-entered 
school. At this time the Rebellion began to assume 
alarming proportions, and oui- subject, although only 
sixteen years of age, determined to enlist as a sol- 
dier. After seven unsuccessful efforts he was finally 
admitted into Co. D., the old 44th Ohio \ol. Inf., 
re-enlisted as the 8th Ohio Cavalry, and remained 
in the service three years. He was taken [)risoner 
at Beverly, W. Va., and confined in Libby Prison 
at Richmond, where he remained two months, and 
during this time was book-keeper for the rebel gov- 
ernment. He was finally paroled and received a 
furlough of sixty days, after which he rejoined his 
regiment and was commissioned Clerk of the com- 
[lany in the service of the Colonel and Adjutant- 



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482 



LEE COUNTY. 



General. Yonng Peirce participated in the Lynch- 
burg campaiiiii and in the fighting along the Shenan- 
doah Valley, where daily skirmishing became the 
pastime. During his service he was detailed as 
clerk at Ch.arleston. W. Va., for Maj. Gen. Meigs, 
with whom he remained four months, or until 
nearly the close of the war. finallj' rejoining his 
regiment at Beverly, W. Va., and with his comrades 
was mustered out of service at Clnrksburg. W. \';i., 
in July, 18().'). 

At the close of his iiiiliUuv career, Prof. Peirce 
returned home and entered the Southwestern Nor- 
mal School at Lebanon, Ohio, remained there foui- 
years, and graduated in 1869, after which he 
attended a three months' course in the Eastman 
Business College .at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., graduat- 
ing in the Penmanship Department, and developing 
a remarkable aptitude in this branch of instruction. 
He also taught jienmanship in the National Normal 
School for four years, in tlie meantime also having 
charge of a set of books for the wholesale book 
establishment of Messrs. Holbrook it Co. During 
intervals of his early school life he employed his 
time teaching in the district schools. In 1871 Prof. 
Peirce decided to change the scene of his opera- 
tions, and crossing the Father of Waters, came to 
Keokuk, which has remained his permanent home 
since that time. His evident talents obtained read3' 
recognition, and he was soon engaged as Superin- 
tendent of Penmanship in the Keokuk City Schools 
and also established a Normal Penmanship Insti- 
tute. In 18«2 he purcii.ased the business college 
previously conducted by William H. Miller, now- 
deceased. This he luas established upon a sure 
footing, and its friends and patrons represent many 
of the States both east and west of the Mississippi. 
Prof. Peirce was the first person tt) introduce 
pennianslii|) .as a science in tlie public schools of the 
(xate City, and thousands of joung men and 
women now hold lucrative ])ositions iis gradu- 
ates .and experts in this fine art, under his instruc- 
tion. The business college of which he is pro- 
prietor aggreg.ates an attendance of .j,()00 students. 
^ffi£^ ''^^ Professor possesses fine literary tastes and is an 
author of no ordinary al)ility. He contributes to 
various journals and has l>een a writer for the city 
press for ten years past. He is KepLiblican in poli- 






tics, and a member of the order of Knights of? 
Pythias. ; 

The marriage of Prof. C. H. Peirce and Miss Ada 
C, daughter of the late David Crawford, of Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, was celebrated in 1871. Mrs. I'eirce 
is a refined and accomplished lady, and in every 
way the fit comp.anion of her husband in his edu- 
cational and literary pursuits. The}- are connected 
with the Episcopal Church, and the center of a 
large circle of admiring friends. They have Ijecome 3 
the parents of three sons — C. Harry, Don K. and E^ 
Allyn Burrell. They occupy tlic resilience at N<>. E 
41C High street, and move among the highest: 
social circles of the Gate City. 



HRISTIAN PETERS, 'an enterprising and 
successful (Tcrman farmer, owns and occu- 
pies a v.aluable homestead on section 28, 
Jackson Township. He has been a resident of Lee 
County since 1853, and during a period of over 
thirty years has established for himself a reputation 
as a straightforw-.ard business man and a valued 
citizen. 

The subject of our sketch was born in Brunswick, 
Germany, Feb. 1,5, 1815, and is the son of Henry 
Peters, of Gerinan ancestry- and parentage. Henry 
Peters died wheu our suljject w.as fifteen; his 
Tnother departed this life when he was seven years 
of age. Christian Peters was reared and ed ucated 
in his native country, and came to the United States pn 
in 1845, landing at Galveston, Tex.. .Ian. 1, 184(). 
After coming here he served as a soldier in a Ger- 
man company of Texas ^'olunteers in the Jlexi- 
can War, and after this was ended located in New- 
Orleans for a short time, subsequently going U) St, 
Louis, and froirf tliere to (iuincy. 111. After living 
there a few years, until 1853, he came into Lee 
County, Iowa, and became engaged in ti^arning in 
the city of Keokuk for the following twelve years. 
He then settled upon a tr.act of land in Jackson 
Townshii), on section 28, and engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits. He was industrious and economi- 
cal, and in due time became the owner of 1 '.15 acres, 
which he has imprftved and cultivated, and supi^lied 
with a Lfood set of farm buildings. 



Hi rntrfTlt ,l iiTxcro ' { fifififi J 






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Mr. Peters was married in Qninej^ 111., Oct., 
2?>, 18.52, to Miss Hannah Renter, a native of Ger- 
many, born Oct. .'i, 18,30. She is the danghter 
of Arthnr and Mary Renter. They emigrated to 
Quincy, 111., in 1S,tG, where the father died. The 
mother died in Denver, Col. Mrs, P, came to the 
United States at the age of eighteen, and settled 
in St, Lonis, Mo,, and afterward went to Qnincy, 
111,, where she met and married Mr, Peters, 

Mr. and Mrs, Peters have become tlie parents 
of ten children, six of whom are living, as follows: 
Henry married Kate Wende, and resides in Jack- 
son Township; Louisa is the wife of George O, 
Bleness; Charley, Katie, Willie and Hannah are at 
home with their parents. Our subject and wife 
are connected with the Lutheran Church, and in 
politics Mr, P, iniiformly casts his vote with the 
Reimblican party. 



<f]ESSE WATSON MOORMAN, M. I)„ a 
prominent member of the medical profes- 
sion of Ft. Madison, whose portrait is shown 
oil the opposite page, is one of the most ex- 
tensive practitioners of Lee County, a gentleman 
who is thoroughly acquainted with the details and 
the intricacies of his calling. He h.is been an ex- 
tensive reader, and besides having faithfully pur- 
sued his regular medical studies, he has not wholly 
been confined to books, but has been the originator 
of many excellent theories and ideas, and has suc- 
cessfully introduced them into his practice. 

Dr. Moorman is a native of Greene County, 
Ohio, the date of his birth being April 10, 1828. 
His father, Charles Moorman, was born in Camp- 
bell County, Ya., and his grandfather, Thomas 
Moorman, was a native of the .same county. His 
great-grandfather, Micajah Moorman, was a native 
of either Virginia or North Carolina, a member of 
the Society of Friends, and a descendant from pure 
Scotch aneesti-y. He spent the last days of his life 
in Virginia. Thomas Moorman was a Large landed 
proprietor, and a .slave-holder until the time when 
the Friends established themselves in his vicinity 
and his attention was called to the theories which 
they advanced. He was thus induced to liberate 




m 



his slaves, and in 1 sou he removed from that h)- 
calitj- to Ohio, making his first location in High- 

M 

County, and was among the pioneer settlers there. MB 
He purchased 1,000 .acres of land in the wilderne.ss,E{: 
built a log cabin, and in due time cleared a good 
sized tract of land. He was an expert hunter and 
was engaged in trade, which he followed with suc- 
cess. Both he and his wife lived to a good old age, 
his decease occurring at the age of ninety-two, and 
that of his wife at ninety-nine years. 

Charles Moorman, the father of our subject, was 
twelve years old when his parents removed from 
Virginia to Ohio. He assisted his father in clear- fg-cr 
ing the farm, remained under the pai-ental roof lui- b } 




1^ 



u 



til he attained to years of manhood, and w:is 
united in marriage with Miss Matilda Watson, a 
native of Virginia. He purchased the old home- 
stead, which was located in Silver Creek Township, 
and remained there until his death, which occurred 
in 1880. The faithful wife .and mother had pre- 
ceded him to the better land ten j'ears, hei' decease 
occurring in 1870. They were the parents of thir- 
teen children, eleven of whom grew to become 
men and women 

■Jesse Watsou Moorman was the sixth child of hi 
parents. As soon as old enough to be of assistance 
he engaged in the lighter labors of the farm, re- 
ceiving careful parental training and a very limited 
school education. The nearest school-house was 

one and a half miles distant, and was built of logs, 

light being admitted by means of greased paper in- ]H^I}J 
stead of glass window-panes. The school was car- ^jt, 
ried on by subscription, and the subject of our 
sketch only attended there occasionally. He was 
naturally studious, however, having inherited the 
love of learning from his mother, who was finely 
educated and a lady of more than ordinary intelli- ^ 
gence. He was fond of reading and obtained all 
the books that he could. At the .age of sixteen he 
commenced reading medicine at home. Various 
things, however, hindered him from launching out 
upon a prr>fessional career, and two yeai's later he 
commenced to serve an aprenticeship at the plas- 
terer's trade, and followed that trade until he was 
twent_y-three years old. There seemed now to lie 
a partial opening for gratifying his early 



u 






and he was adiiiittcfl ti> .-iliidy in the office of Dr. 
Rush, at Washinutoii, Fayette County, lie >tn(l- 
iefl witli him for two and a lialf years, in the mean- 
time «-oii<ini>: at intervals at iiis trade in order to 
obtain money to pay iiis expenses. At the expira- 
tion of this lime he returned home and pursued his 
studies ahnie. He coninieneed to praetiec in l>^n'> 
at Brooi<vilie, in wliat is now Newton County, Ind. 
He remained tiiei'e for two and one-half years, when 
his health l)(\!>an to fail, and he suffered total blind- 
ness for six weeks, with the gravest a,p|)rehensions 
for the futuie. He went to an eye and ear infirmary, 
first at Xenia, Ohio, from there to Wilmington, 
thence to Cincinnati, where his eyesight was par- 
tially restored by the treatment of Prof. Howe, of 
that city. 

In 18.58 Dr. Moorman located at Port William, 
Clinton Co., Ohio, where he remained three years. 
He then removed to Leeslnirg, and from there to 
South Bend, where he remained a year, then re- 
turned to Leesburg, thence, m 1870, to Washing- 
ton County, Iowa. After three years spent in that 
county he came to West Point, Lee County, and 
in 1878 to Ft. Madison, where he permanently lo- 
cated, and h.as built up a prosperous and popular 
practice. 

Dr. Moorman's first wife was Miss Lucy Yeo- 
man, a native of Ohio, who was born in Faj-ette 
Countj'. She went with her husband to Newton 
Countj', Ind., and died there in i8.')7. He married 
his i)resent wife at West Point in 18()4. The 
maiden name of Mrs. Moorman was Anna Trevitt. 
She is an English lady, and was born in Birming- 
ham, of F^nglish parentage. Dr. Moorman has 
three daughters: Elizabeth A. M., now the wife of 
John Ilynes, of Fayette County, Ohio; Genevra, 
a resident of Florida, and Kittle, wife of George 
Smith, of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Dr. Moorman was reared to principles of the St)- 
ciety of Friends, but is not connected in member- 
ship with any church. He is, however, in all re- 
spects, the friend of morality, reform and good or- 
der, and the supporter of every good work and 
^purpose tending to elevate the social and intellect- 
[ ual condition of his community and county. He 
[ has not identified himself with either of the great 
Apolitical parties, but casts his vote and influence for 



the men whom he con.siders have the best reeonl. 
.\fter 111' h.id first entered upon the practice of iii- 
profession Dr. .Moorman entered the Cincinnati 
Eclectic Medical Institute, from which he gradu- 
ated with honors in I 8.t;). He received there .-i 
thorough course of insfruction. an<l this, supple- 
mented by his natur.-dly studious habits and thoi - 
ongh ;ip|ilicMtiou •■iiid practice, has i-onstitutcd him 
one of the most reliable physicians of Lee County. 
He takes genuine pride in his profession, .'Uid his 
aim has .-dways ln'cn to excel. Dr. and Mrs. .Moor- 
man occup3- one of the iileasantest homes in Ft. 
Madison, and, .socially as well .as professionally, 
Dr. Moormnn holds ,'ui enviable position inhiscom- 
nninit\'. 

-^^3 ^ 



E 



i)])WAHD C. MATHEWS, a young and en- 
terprising farmer of Franklin Township, is 
pleasantly located on the homestead of his 
father, which consists of 328 acres, of which our 
subject po.ssesses a one-seventh interest, and also an 
undivided interest in property in the village of La- 
crew. He was reared on a farm in Franklin Town- 
ship, whei-e he was born .Tulj' 16, 18.57. His father. 
Paul A. Mathews, was a Pennsylvania farmer, born 
and reared in Washington Count}'. He was there 
married to Miss Nancy Spears, of his own locality. 
and after the birth of six children, they started to 
Iowa in 18;)1, via the Ohio and Mississippi River>. 
They located in Lee County, and secured the half 
section of land which their son, our subject, is now 
in po.ssossion of. Very little of the land was im- 
proved, and Paul Mathews gave his entire atten- 
tion to tlu^ cultivation of his farm and the estab- 
lishment of a comfoitable home fc>r his fannly. He 
was successful in his undertaking and accumulated 
a competency. Besides the growing of grain he 
was coiisideralily interested in stock-raising, and 
the farm was always supplied with a herd of fine 
cattle. The companion of his early years and the 
mother of his children dcp.arted this life on the 
17th of duly, 1873. He survived his wife for 
eleven years, dying in 1884. 

Edward C. Mathews wa- the youngest but one 
of twelve cluldren. His earlier years were occu- 
pied in attendance at the common schools during 



the winters and assisting in tlic lighter labors 
aroiiud the farm in the siuiimer season until he be- 
came of age. On the 22fl of March, 1883, he was 
married at the home of the bride in Marion Town- 
ship, to Miss Paulina, a daughter of Uobert and 
.Sarah (Wolf) McCord. The parents of Mrs. M. 
settled in Marion Township in IS.ifi, where the fa- 
ther died in 1X74, and the mother twelve j-ears 
later, in 1 886. They were highly respected in their 
coramunitj', the father having been for manj' years 
engaged as a local preacher. Mrs. M. was born in 
Marion Township, Aug. 3, 1«G1. She was reared at 
home and educated in the common schools, and 
received careful training by wise and judicious 
parents. Of her union with our subject there have 
been born two children, one of whom is deceased. 
The homestead of Mr. Mathews is a model one in 
every respect, and replete with everything tending 
to secure enjo3'ment and hajipiness. 



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-<3~ 




^.(NUREW HAMPTON, a promnient and 
(fi^lOl prosperous farmer of Harrison Township, 
is the possessor of a tine homestead pleas- 
antly located on section 1. He is a native 
of Warren County, Ohio, and was born near 
Waynesville, July 17, 1823. His father. Abraham 
Hampton, was a native of Penns3lvania, and born 
Oct. 20,1789. His grandfather, Jacob Hampton, 
was a New Jersey farmer, wlio emigrated to Ohio 
.before the War of 1812, and became one of the 
early pioneers of Warren County. He purchased 
a tract of timl)er land, and with the assistance of 
his sons, cleared a farm frcmi tlii' wilderness. After 
a number of years lie disposed of this property and 
removed to Indiana, being somewhat like Daniel 
Boone, opposed to the too close proximity of 
neighbors. He was also a pioneer of the Hoosier 
State while it was a Territory, and i)urchased a 
tract of wild land, wliicli he imiir(_ivt'd ami culti- 
vated, and ui)on wliich he remained until his death. 
Aliraham Hampton, the father of our subject, 
was Ijut a mere child wiien his parents removed 
from New Jersey to West N'irginia, where his 
childhood days were passed. He went with the 



family to Ohio and thereafter to Indiana. In the 
meantime, however, he had grown to manhood, 
married, and become the father of live children. 
The trip was made overland with horses and wag- 
ons, and a carriage for the more delicate members 
of the train. They carried their household goods 
and camped and cooked by the wayside. Abraliaiu 
also purchased a tract of timljer, cleared a farm, 
and established a homestead, which in due time 
was found to be located in New Garden Township, 
Wayne County. He subsequently sold his lirst 
purchase and bought another in the same locality, 
where he lived until 1847, and then decided to 
make the couutrj* west of the Mississippi the scene 
of his future operations. Accordingly, in 1847, 1 H 
he disposed of his Indiana farm, and started for -'^*-*- 
lowa, this journey, like the previous one, being 
made overland with teams. 

After crossing the Father of Waters, the father 
of our subject located in Marion Township, pur- 
chasing for the third time, a tract of unimproved 
land, and here he immediately made prei)arations 
to establish a home. He was possessed of consider- 
able means, and at once erected a frame house for 
the comfort and accommodation of his family. They 
remained here for many 3'ears, and after his chil- 
dren were married and esfaiblished in homes of 
tlieir own he still spent his summers upon the old 
homestead, but at the approach of cold weather 
retired to some one of the homes of his children, 
and died at the residence of his son-in-law, Lewis 
Taylor, in Cedar Township, on the 23d of Jlarch, 
1876, a good old man full of years and honors. 

Abraham Hampton, in earl}' manhood, was mar- 
ried to Miss Rebecca Harlan, the wedding taking 
place on the 24th of December, 1818. The wife 
of his youth survives him. and is in the enjoyment 



i 



Iffy 

11 



I 



I 

I 

I 
lii 

n 



iii. 



of good healtii, retaining lier mental faculties to a }^M 
remarkable degi-ee, and often recalling incidents of 
the early days when, as the wife of a pioneer, she 
was obliged to exercise great ingenuity in order to 
keep the family machinery in motion. She is a na- 
tive of Rowan C<mnty, N. C, born Aug. 3(», 1792, 
and is consequently (18«6) in the ninety-fifth year 
of her age. She became the mother of nine chil- 
dren, of whom the record is as follows: Joini. the 
fust-born, <lied in Marion Township, April 11, 



1 




n^irrrrijuxixtrj 




1850; Mary became the wife of Daniel W. Hiatt, 
aiul lives in Van Buien, Iowa; Klwood is a resident 
of Henry County, tliis Stato; Andrew, our subject, 
was the next in order of birth ; Hannah was married 
to Samuel Stephenson, and lives in Harrison Town- 
shii>; Margaret V)ecanio tiie wife of Lewis Taylor, 
of Cedar T(iwnshi[); Elizabeth is the widow of 
Abijali Lupton. and lives in Richmond, Ind.;.lona- 
than and Rebecca .1. are residents of Pilot CJrove, 
Marion Township. 

Andrew Hampton of our sl<etch came to Iowa in 
l,s4r), and entered eighty acres of land in Harrison 
Township, then returned to Indiana for four months, 
after whicli he returned to tlie Hawkeye State per- 
manently. His early years were passed upon his 
fatiier's farm, and lie received a fair education in 
the district schools. After attaining to j'ears of 
manhood he was united in marriage with Miss 
Rachel M. Rich, on the 20th of May, 1847. i\Irs. 
Hampton was born in Indiana Sept. 28, 1820, and 
was the daughter of >.'athan and Mary (Crampton) 
Rich, natives respectively of North Carolina and 
Mrginia. Her father was born .lune 0, 1800, and 
died in the prime of life on the 24th of July, 1838. 
The mother, born Feb. 2, 180G, departed this life 
(Jet. 11, 1833, in Judian.i. The_y were the parents 
of five children, and the record is as follows: The 
eldest son, Samuel, lived to the age of manhood, 
and was married to Miss Deadem Emerson ; Rachel 
M., the wife of our subject, was second in order 
■' of birth; jMerrickdied when live years old; Judith 
A., born Dec. 22, 1830, died at the age of 
twenty years; Susanna, now Mrs. W. B. Williams, 
lives in Richmond, Ind. It will be seen that the 
children of this family were deprived of both father 
and mother at an early age. 

Of the union of Andrew Hampton and his wife. 



q } Rachel, there have been born six children, whose 
history we brietly sketch as follows: Abraham Lee 
married Miss Flora F. Lee, and both are deceased, 
his death occurring Nov. 2G, 1878, ;iiul tiiat of his 
wife two years before, on the 8th of September, 
1870. This son was a practical printer and teacher 
nof the public schools at Bonaparte. He founded 
I the Gentry Cutinty (Jhraiiick' at Alltaiiy, ilo. After 




1 the death of hi.- wife he mergei 
"" - Brooklield (rftxeWe, which he w;is soon obliged 



the stock in the 
to 



abandon on account of failing health, and returns 1 
to his father's house, where his life soon terminatcil. 
He was highly esteemed for his upright characdi 
and honorable conduct in all the relations of life. 
and his death was felt to be an irreparable loss to 
the entire community. Appropriate resolutions 
were p.assed In' the different lodges with which he 
was connected. 

Tliougli eallcil home in Mian's early piime. 

In the .-piingtime of life".* brightest joy. 
Thou hast gainoil :i far lovelier dime, 

Ne'er eiuHng Itliss time eamiot destroy. 
Let us ever remember thee, then. 

As clothed in perennial youth. 
In luansions not builOed by men. 

But eternal and lasting as truth. 

Mary I). Hampton became the wife of A. H. 
Jeffrey'. Dorrence, born Jan. 22. 1853, died in 
CapeCiirardeau County, Mo., Oct. 28, 1870. He was 
educated at Mt. Rleasant, was a bright and promis- 
ing boy, and commenced teaching at the age of 
eighteen years. Two years later he entered the 
oflice of the Denison Meview, in Crawford County, 
Iowa, where, after an apprenticeship of one year 
at the printer's tr.ade, he obtained a situation in the 
Sentinel oflice at Iowa Falls, Hardin County, at 
journeyman's wages. He subsequently purchased 
a half interest in this tiflice, which he sold in the 
spring of 1875, and removed to Jackson, Mo., and 
assumed control of the Cash Book which, under his 
management, became a journal of great influence 
and popularity, and was considered one of the 
leading papers of Southeastern Missouri. He was 
married at Iowa Falls to 5Iiss Leah A. Jones, who 
still survives. He was a consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Samuel R. Hampton 
married Miss Flora Gill, of Cedar Township; An- 
nie E. died at the age of seventeen months; the 
youngest child was named Anna D. 

Andrew Hampton is the possessor of 182 acres 
of tinely cultivated land, upon which he erected % 
handsome dwelling-house in 1873. His Ijarns, out- 
houses :ind farming implements are of first-class 
description, and everything arciuiid the homestead 
indicates the exercise of :i wise juilgment and 
am|)le me;ins. He has been a prominent man in 
his township since his first arrival here, having 
been .\ssessor and .lustice of the Pea<e for four 




InteriorView.St.Josephs Catholic Church, Fort Madison. Father DeCailly, Priest. 



r^H^EHHKJ 




I Hr'r^HHr'HariaA^ 



^^^-^^H^'TJJi^T^;^ 



E^g 




LEE COUNTY. 




years, and has gained much distinction in the latter 
oHioc, his decisions never being reversed by a 
liigher court. He was a member of the Union 
League during the war, is Republican in politics, 
and a member in good standing of the Congrega- 
tional Church, in which he was a teacher of the 
Sabbatii-sehool for a number of 3'ears. JNIrs. Hamp- 
ton was reared in the Society of Friends, and 
adheres to her early faith. 



EV. FATHER LOUIS DeCAILLY is pas- 
tor of 8t. Joseph's Church, Ft. Madison, 
and is a prominent light in the church of 
^§) his choice in Lee County, and in this sec- 
tion of the Hawkeye .State. He is a gentleman of 
extensive reading, well educated, and has served 
faitlifully and well the charge over which he has 
been appointed by his Bishop. Father DeCailly is 
a native of Lyons, France, born March 3, 1832, 
and resided in his native country until 1847. He 
then came to the United States, and proceeded at 
once westward, making his first location at Dubuque, 
Iowa. He had already been studying for the 
jniesthood, and was ordained as priest in his native 
city three years thereafter by Right Rev. Fran- 
zouie, the exiled Archbishop of Turin. 

The newly appointed priest at once returned to 
the United States, first visiting Iowa City, which 
was about the time of the passage of the bill for re- 
moving the capital of the State to Des Moines. 
Father DeCailly then went to Des Moines a little 
after New Year's, l8oi>. There he found but two 
Catholic families, but emigration was then rapidly 
increasing the population of the towns, and before 
long several families of the Catholic faith had ar- 
rived, so that in a few months Father DeCailly was 
enabled to purchase a small area of ground, which 
now constitutes the property of St. Ambrose 
Church in that city. For this he paid $000, and 
it has iacrea.sed in value until it is now estimated 
to be worth >;.jl),000. Father DeCailly remained 
in Des Moines but six months, and was then em- 
l)loj'ed as a teacher in the Theological .Seminar}' 
near Dubuque, where at that time the present Bish- 
o[) Cosgrove was then a student. The seminary 
was discontinued, however, after a time, and Father I 



DeCailly went to Northern Iowa, being placed in 
charge of nearly all the territory from McGregor 
north to the State line and west to Ft. Dodge. He 
was instrumental in the erection of at least five 
churches in that vicinity, l)oth for English and 
Germans, and often engaged in carpenter work 
himself. Upon the present site of Forest City he 
baptised at one time thirty-two children, the people 
not having seen a priest for sixteen years. In 18.58 
he returned to Dubuque, and was appointed pastor 
of St. Anthony's Church at Davenport, where he 
officiated f(^r six mouths, and was then located at 
St. Peter's. Keokuk, for ten years, in the meantime 
establishing schools and erecting buildings and ac- 
complishing great good among his people. 

In 1868, on account of failing health. Father 
DeCailly went to Ohio, and was appointed b}* Bish- 
op S. H. Roscranz, pastor of St. Mary's Church, 
Lancaster, Ohio. Six years afterward he was placed 
in charge of the large Catholic congregation of 
Newark, Ohio, and after ten years of hard labor he 
sought a smaller congregation in the State of his 
first choice. He then came to Iowa, in 1884, being 
most kindly held in remembrance by the citizens 
of Lee County. He was api)ointed pastor of St. 
Joseph's Church at Ft. Madison, and is held in t"he 
highest respect b}' not only the members of his 
parish, but the community at large. He is genial 
and kind hearted, and is interested in all move- 
ments tending to the welfare of the city and Lee 
Count}'. He has become identified with the inter- 
ests of this section, and was appointed Chaplain in 
1885 for that year of the Tri-State Old .Settlers' 
Association. The St. Joseph's Church at Ft. Mad- 
ison has connected with it a parochial school num- 
bering about 100 children, taught by the Sisters 
of Mary, and a lay teacher for large boys. A 
view of the interior of the church is shown in 
connection with this sketch. 




fl 



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HI 



ii 



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^ 






J'/UDGE J. M. LOVE, Judge of the Lnited 
.States .Southern District Court, of Iowa, 
who first took ui) his residence at Keokuk in 
/ 1850, and who ha:s constantly been identi- 
fied with the best interests, not only of his county, 
but of the entire State since that time, is well and 




Eiifi 




492 




LEE COUNTY. 



|>i(iiiiineiitly kii<;wii everywhere within its boiind- 
:mv. Jiiilm' Liive was born in Virginia, March -t, 
l.Slli. 11 is parents were John >S. and Mary (Ver- 
million) l^ove, also natives of Virginia; the father 
was a mail (Mjiitractor, and continued to reside in 
his native State until his death. 

The subject of this notice remained at home and 
attended school until eighteen 3'ears of age. When 
tiiirteen years old he moved with his mother and 
the other children to Ohio, and in that State, after 
leaving school, he engaged in civil engineering. He 
followed that business about four years, and then 
'MM] going to Zanesville, Ohio, entered the law office of 
Judge Richard Stillwell, and under his instruction 
continued his studies until he graduated, in 1840. 
The young lawyer then, went to Coshocton 
County', Ohio, and there hung out his shingle and 
entered upon tlie practice of his profession, which 
he continued with ordinary success until 11S4G. 
During that year he raised a comjjanj' for the 
Mexican AVar. The companj' joined the Sd Ohio 
Regiment, under Col. Samuel R. Curtis, and our 
suljject was elected Captain of the company and 
serve<I in that-capacity for two years. Returning 
from the field of conflict he, in 1848, again resumed 
the practice of his profession in Ohio, and there con- 
tinued a resident until 18.50. 

During the year last named our subject, iioping 
to lind broader fields for the dis|)lay of his legal 
ability, and with an eye to financial success, left 
Ohio and came to seek a home west of the mighty 
Father of Waters. Arriving in this State he set- 
tled in Keokuk and immediately began tlie practice 
of law. He had constantly, ever since he was ad- 
mitted to the bar, in 1840, been a hard student, 
and the consequence was that after he settled at 
Keokuk he soon l)ecame one of the leading niom- 
ber.s of the Lee County l)iir. In 18.V1 lie was 
elected to the State Senate, and two years later, in 
ijjj 18.55, was .appointed Judge of the I'nited States 
I Court for the District of Iowa. Continuing in that 

m position until the division in l.S8;3, he then liecame 
Judge -for the Southern District, comprising Coun- 
lasecgt-il Blutt's and Des Moines. 

.Judge Love was married, in l,s4(;, to Jliss .Mary 
Tliomasson, and by this union had four cliihlren — 
William, (Jeorge, .Man .ind llcnrv. Mrs. Lovcdc- 



ii 





parted this life in 1861, and the Judge was a sec- 
ond time married. Miss Mary Millburn being tiir 
other contracting party. Of this latter union there 
have also been born four children — Milburn. Eliz- 
abeth, Sidnc}- and James. 

Politically- Judge Love is a Democrat, but jxili- 
tics never interfere with him in the faithful dis- 
charge of his duties as a conscientious, straightfor- 
ward and honorable gentleman, and one well versed 
in jurisprudence. It is said of Judge Love that 
when he gives a decision upon a question in contro- 
versy it is hardly necessary for the one against 
whom the decision may be given to ever take an 
appeal, for he is one of the most careful, as well as 
learned Judges in the State. This is not simply 
the assertion of a biographical writer, but can be 
substantiated by any who choose to examine the 
record of Judge Love's decisions since he has held 
the position of which he is now the incumbent. 



^/OSIAH WHITE, deceased, was well known 
in this section of countr}- as a philanthro- 
pist, and was the founder of White's Iowa 
Institute for Manual Labor, one of the best 
institutions ever devised for the benefit of home- 
less children. Our subject was a native of New- 
Jersey, and was born at Mt. H0II3', Burlington 
County, March 4, IT.si. He was a direct descend- 
ant of Thomas White, of Cumberlandshire, En- 
glanil, whence his son, Christopher, and wife, Eliza- 
beth, came to America in 1677, locating near Salem. 
N. J. These were the great-great-grandparents of 
our subject. 

Josiah White vvjw quite young when his father 
dietl, and he was left to the care of his mother, 
from whom he received careful iiome training, and 
who kept him at scliool almost continuously initil 
he was fifteen years of age. He was then ai)pren- 
ticed to a hardware merchant in Philadelphia, and 
for his services was to receive ^20 per year. He 
attended to his duties diligently, and in less than 
two years' time had the principal charge of the 
books. He hail been trained to habits of industry 
and economy, and after he had begun to work I'oi' 
himself, sa\ed wlial he could of his earninu's, and 



i 



1 

In 

I'-i 
.1 

1 

I 
;a 



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T^t^^sg, 




SH2^a 



hVJI-^^'-'-'-'-'Hr-l.-' ^ r-l 




j yr^y^^ 



LEE COUNTY. 



493 



iiE 



\\t 



13 



at the age of twenty-one had accumulated sufficient 
means to commence business for himself. lie pur- 
chased a stock of hardware, opened a store in Phil- 
adelphia, and there laid the basis for his future 
fortune. 

In 1810 Mr. White jMirchased the water-power 
of the Schuylkill River at the falls, and constructed 
a dam and locks which were a vast improvement to 
the navigation of that river. He attempted to 
lease the power, but the custom so general now was 
then practically unknown in the United States, and 
there seemed to be a jjrejudice against it, .so Mr. 
White erected a large mill for the manufacture of 
wire and a smaller one for that of nails. He was 
one of the first men who succeeded in introducing 
anthracite coal for general use, and was the fore- 
most in building canals to open up the vast fields 
of coal and iron to the markets of the world. His 
biographer, Richard Richardson, says of him : " As 
the name of DeWitt Clinton stands prominent in 
New York in connection with the canal system of 
that State, so will the name of Josiah Wliite stand 
conspicuous in the same direction in Pennsylvania." 

Josiah White departed this life in Philadelphia, 
Nov. 14, 18.00. In his will he bequeathed $20.- 
000 to found a school for manual labor in In- 
diana, which is now established and doing good 
■work. It is located near Treaty, in Wabash Count}'. 
This good and benevolent man also bequeathed a 
like sum to establish a similar institution in Iowa. 
This is also in active operation, and stands as a 
noble monument to one of the best men which the 
present age has produced. (See history of White's 
Iowa Manual Labor Institute on another page in 
this volume). 



- ^ i ' ^^ ' » -^ 



(^^ AMUEL G. Y'OUNKIN, an honored pio- 
^^^ neer of the Hawkeye State, is a prominent 
i&jflfj and successful farmer and stock- Ijreeder, 
and occupies a fine homestead on section 4, 
Montrose Township. He came to the State of Iowa 
when it was in its infancy, and has marked its de- 
velopment and progress with gr.atified interest. 
He has also aided inateriall}' in the opening up of 



this section, having been one of its most energetic 
and enterprising settlers. His own early example 
of indn.str}' and economy nol only stimulated his 
neighbors to their best vxcrlions, l)iit he has given 
cheerfully and liljerally of his time and means for 
the encouragement of every good work and pur- 
pose whose object has been to advance the interests 
of his county and township, lie has met with dif- 
ficulties and discouragements like most other men, 
but has suffered nothing to move him from his pur- 
pose of becoming a man am<.)ng men and a useful 
and wortiiy citizen. That he has succeeded in this 
is clearly indicated by the esteem in which he is 
held among his fellow-citizens. 

Tlie birthplace of our subject was Muskingum 
County, Ohio, where he first opened his eyes to the 
light Sept. 11, 1839. His parents were Joseph and 
Susan (Meek) I'ounkin, natives of Mrginia and 
Ohio respectively. He remained at home during 
his childhood and youth, assisting in the duties 
around the homestead, and receiving a fair educa- 
tion in the common schools. 

Our subject was united in marringe with Miss 
Lucretia Curtis, Nov. 29, 1866. His bride was a 
native of Genesee County, Mich., and was born 
July 12, 1840. Her parents, Daniel and Emily 
(Woodford) Curtis, were natives of Vermont and 
New York respectively. Daniel Curtis was born 
in 1804, removed to Iowa in early manhood, and 
died in this State in 18,")9. His wife, Mrs. Emily 
Curtis, was born in 1800, came to Iowa with her 
husband, and departed this life also in November, 
1859, within a few days of her husband's decease. 
The parental household consisted of the following 
children : George D., who married Miss Mary Woll- 
fltt; Charles H., who chose for his life partner. Miss 
Mary Irvine : she died, and he subsequently mar- 
ried Miss Mary Rankin: Charlotte W. became the 
wife of Lewis Adams, who is deceased, and she 
contracted a second marriage with James Reed, and 
both are now deceased; the next ciiild was Lucre- 
tia, now Mrs. Younkin. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Younkin liave been 
born four children, as follows: Henry A.. l)orn 
Sept. 8, 1871, died March 16, 1872; Cora B. was 
born Oct. 5, 1876; Samuel C. Sept. 11, 1878. and 
Willia, March 28, 1880. The family homestead is 



I 



sm 



im 




fiuS 




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(jne of the attractive spots of Lee C(junty. Mr. 

^'uiinkiii i,- <|iiiU' extensively engaged in the breed- 
ing i>i liigh-gr.ule slock, consisting of Short-iiorn 
cattle and i'leiksiiire liogs. lie occniiics a fine farm 
dwelling, lias a good liarii, and everytliing neces- 
sary for the convenient storing of giain, and the 
shelter of stock. The family are held in high respect 
in their coniniunity. In politics Mr. Vonnkin is 
stronglv Hei>nlilican. and has lieen honored with 
the varions township otliees. Mrs. Younkiu is aii 
earnest and active member of the Presbyterian 
Chnrcli. Her brother, Edward R. Cnrtis, married 
Miss Nancy Ueed, and Rcnben M., now deceased, 
was married to Miss Mary Hertz. He died Sept. 
Id. issil. in Lee Conntv. 



■>}■- 



••®v><v®-''*<'-- 





US. JOHANNA MANG, of Keokuk, is a 
ii.ative of the German Empire, and came 
with her i)arents to the United States in 
1848. They proceeded directly to Iowa, 
and settled near Franklin, Jasper Count}', upon a 
farm, and the father followed agricultural pursuits 
until his death, in 18(53. 

The subject- of this biography is a daughter of 
(leorge and Caroline (Cramer) Cramer, whose 
iniiisehold circle included three children, one of 
whom is deceased, and besides Jlrs. Mang, there is a 
brother who is now residing in Wisconsin. Mrs. 
M. resided with her ])arents until she was nineteen 
years of age, and was then married to Jacob Kraft, 
a native of (ierinany, and son of John and Chris- 
tina Kr.'ift. They came to the United States in 
l.s ts, ;ind at once proceeded westward, crossed the 
Mississippi, and settled in Keokuk, where they re- 
mained until his death, which occurred in 1881. 
The parental family consisted of six children, of 
whom Jacob was the youngest but one. He learned 
the boot-and-shoe trade, and followed this in Keo- 
kuk until his decease, which occurred in 1880, one 
y(^ar before the death of his father. Of this union 
there were born four children, three now living, 
viz. : Caroline, now Mrs. Helten, of Des Moines, 
who lias two children — William and Johanna; 
George married Miss Milda Mentz, and they have 



one child, Alvin, and are residing in Keokuk; Lou 
is also a resident of Keokuk. 

In due time after the death of her first husbaiul. 
Mrs. Kraft contracted a second marriage, with .Mr. 
Gus Mang, also a native of the Fatherland, who 
came to America in 1881. and is by trade a butcher. 
He is the proinietor of a saloon at No. 27 .South 
Fourth street, Keokuk. Mrs. Mang owns and oc- 
cupies a comfortable residence at No. 1 1 4 Johnson 
street. 



■A 

H'-l 

- ;i 



"SfjUDGE JAME.S B. HOWELL, founder (.f the 
■ Gate City of Keokuk, and one of the most 
prominent citizens known in the histor}' of 
Iowa, was born near Morristown, N. J., Jidy 
4, 1816, and died in Keokuk, Lee Count}', on the 
morning of June 17, 1880. The puljlic life of 
Judge Howell presented a bright example of in- 
tegrity of purpose, sound judgment, and an upi-ight 
and honoral)le course. He was one of the foremost 
men in kindling patriotism in the hearts of his fel- 
low-men to preserve a Union, and was bitterly 
opposed to slavery in every form, He took .an 
active part in political affairs during the late 
Rebellion, and cast the whole weight of his influence 
upon the side of union and liberty. His entire 
life, socially and politically, was a bi'ight example of 
what may be accomplished by the influence of a 
spotless character and an upright life. 

The father of our subject, Elias Howell, settled 
in Licking County, Ohio, in 1810, and became one 
of the most prominent and influential men in that 
county, being Sheriff in 1826, State Senator in 
1830, and Representative to Congress in 18:i4. 
The boyhood of his son, James B., was spent upon 
the farm, but after the removal to Newark he 
attended the High School and afterward entered 
Miami University, fi-om which he graduated in 
1837, and selected the profession of law, and after 
studying two years was admitted to practice. He 
first located in Newark, but two years later, on ac- 
count of failing health, determined to come to the 
Great West, with the hope that a change of climate 
would be beneficial. In 1841 he came into Iowa, 
and in due time became one of the Whig leaders of 
the Territory. He finally drifted from the practice 



JEh 



^: 



J7*c4<©i^ 






V}r\ 




.1': '■■'. 




LEE COUNTY. 



497 



of law into politics, and in 184o purchased the Des 
Moines Valley ]V7u'g, which he transferred to Keo- 
kuk four years later and changed its name to Gate 
City, through which he endeavored to unite the 
elements of opposition to the pro-slavery party. 
He labored faithfully and unremittingly against 
opposition, and employed all his time and strength 
working for the right, and aided in the transforma- 
tion of Iowa from a Democratic to an overwhelm- 
ingly Republican State. In 1 H70, his long and 
able services to the Republican cause were recog- 
nized by the Legislature of Iowa, which elected him 
to the United States Senate, and after the expiration 
of his term the President selected him as one of the 
three commissioners to examine and report upon 
claims for stores and supplies taken or furnished 
for the use of the army in insurrectionary districts. 
Judge Howell filled that place after successive 
re-appointment.s by Presidents ftr-ant and Hayes, 
until the commission expired by limitation of law, 
on the 10th of March, 1880, a few months before 
the death of Judge Howell. 

The marriage of James B. Howell and Miss Isa- 
bella Richards took place at Granville. Ohio, Nov. 
1, 1842. After the birth of three children, Mrs. 
Isabella R. Howell departed this life in Keosauqna. 
Their daughter, Mary, who was the wife of Frank 
E. Wright, was a noble and intelligent lady, whose 
memory is still held sacred by a wide circle of 
friends in Keokuk and elsewhere. She died Dec. 
23, 1874, not long after her husband. Her two 
children, James Howell and Lena Belle, were re- 
garded by their grandfather. Judge Howell, with 
devoted tenderness and affection. 

On the 23d of October, 1850, Judge Howell was 
married to his second wife, Miss Mary Ann Bowen, 
who still survives and mourns him. Of this union 
there were born — Jesse B., business man.ager of the 
Gate City; D. L., now a Lieutenant of the Regular 
Army ; Frederick, and one daughter, Lida. 

The following estimate of his character was writ- 
ten by one who knew him well : 

"His life was strong and serviceable, yet through 
the greater part of it what he did gave little indi- 
cation of his real power to do. Like all able men 
he was more than he ever did. He was a strong 
editor — the ablest in the State — yet he did not care 




all the time to prove it by his work, and men of 
far less ability could have challenged a rivalry of 
reputation with him in public estimation as a 
journalist. Devoted to his editorial work when in 
it, he was always more than a journalist. A politi- 
cal leader by native force, l)y acquirements and by 
sagacity, he cared nothing for the place of leader, 
and was often only the associate and ally of men 
and causes which he really led. He was ambitious and 
desired office, yet through all his active life, when 
the pinch came, he was constantly disposed to see 
in another rather than himself, the person he would 
force himself .and his party to take. His devotion 
to the party he thought right was liis dominant 
political impulse and ambition, and made himself 
abnegatory in his relations, not to party work, but 
to partj' rewards." 

<if]AMES V. CHURCH, who departed tiiis life 
on the 12th of December, 1880, became a 
resident of the Hawkeye State in 1857, and 
(^jli lived here imtil his death. During a period 
of nearly thirty years passed within the envirt)ns 
of this county he built up for himself a reputation 
as an honest man and a good citizen, prompt to 
meet his obligations, and careful to cast his influ- 
ence upon the side of truth and justice. 

Mr. Church, a native of New England, was born 
among the hills of Berkshire County, Mass., in 
1820. His parents were Arnold and Diantha 
(Pelton) Church, n.atives respectively of Rhode 
Island and Massachusetts. The parental household 
included four children, one of whom died in in- 
fancy; Irene became the wife of William Hall, of 
San Francisco, Cal. ; .Tames ^'., of our sketch, was 
the eldest of the family, and never married ; Nancy 
is the widow of Asher Miller, who was born in 
Connecticut in 1811. and followed farming pur- 
suits; they were married in Hampden County, 
Mass., came to Illinois in 1858, settling in La Salle 
County, where they lived four ye.ars, and then, 
crossing the Mississippi came into Lee County, where 
Mr. Miller purchased 123 acres of land in Pleasant 
Ridge Township. They remained here umil the 
death of Mr. M., whicii occurre<l in ].s73. He left 




i98 



LKK COUNTY. 



m 



m 



n wife .•111(1 two cliililrcii, .Imiiics niid W'illidin. wlm 
reside with their mother. .Mrs. ]\Iiller, after the 
death of her husband, sold licr lioiiiestead. and now 
resides on the estate of her deceased brother, the 
subject of this sketch. She is a most estiiunhle 
lady, and is iionored with the good-will and confi- 
dence of a large eii-cle of acquaintances. 

James X. Church was bred to farm life, and re- 
sided in his native State until the time of the Cali- 
fornia gold excitement, when he went to the Pacific 
.Slope via the Isthmus, where he remained four 
years, meeting with fair, success in his operations 
there. He then returned eastward, and settling in 
Iowa engaged in the loaning of money. Subse- 
quentlj', by foreclosing a moitgage, he became 
possessor of a tract of Ininl in Pleasant Ridge 
Township, to which he added by purchase until he 
became the possessor of nearly 600 acres. He was 
thrifty and energetic in his business life, a quiet, 
unobtrusive man, and greatly respected for his ex- 
cellent personal character. In politics he was Re- 
pulilican, easting his vote thoughtfully- and con- 
scientiously, and is i)leasantly remembered by 
those who knew him for his genial and kindly dis- 
position, which was slow to anger, and careful in 
censuring the acts of men whose motives he could 
not fully understand. 

Tlie portrait of Mr. Church, shown on an accom- 
l)anying page, will be at once recognized by the 
friends who valued him, as the features of the man 
who for so many years went in and out among the 
people of Pleasant Ridge as one of their most val- 
ued citizens. 



--S- 



*^ 




ip^T RANK J. SCHENK, ,Ik., of Keokuk, is pros- 
|— toj perously engaged as a dealer in dry-goods 
(Hi and notions, having established his present 
msiness in 1H«(!. He was formerly of the firm of 
rinkman & .Sclienk. Our subject is a native of 
Hveokuk, liis birth having occurred on the 1st of 
May, 1 8.58, and is the eldest son of F. J. and Louisa 
rt(Kamuf) Scheiik, who became residents of the Gate 
}[Jity over thirty years ago and a sketch of whom 
[tvill be found on the following page of this Ai.iuiii. 
^ Our subject received his education in the Catho- 



lir .>cbool> of K<'oknk. .iiid bcg.-m his uutcmiiI ih' life 
as a clcii< for Thomas (^regg, witii wiiom he re- 
mained eighteen montlis, and after occupying vari- 
ous positions with other firms, during which time 
lie gained a valuable experience, he formed a jjart- 
nership with F. Urinkman, which continued four 
years under the style of Hrinkman and .Schenk, 
and then our subject estalilislied his present pros- 
perous and lucrative trade. 

Mr. Schi'uk was married. .Inly 10, 1 ,SS4, to Aliss 
Katie Spieng, of Keokuk, the daughter of .lacob 
Sjjieng, who was among the pioneer residents of the 
(iate City. Of this union there has been born one 
child, a dniighter — Mamie. Mr. and .Mrs. Schenk 
are members in good standing of St. Mary's Catho- 
lic Church, and number among their friends ant! 
associates the best people of the city. 

LBERT II. (tARRETSON is a memlier of 
the firm of Garretson & Garretson, of 
Keokuk, attorneys at law and dealers in 
real estate. Our subject is a native of the 
llawkeye State, and was born near Salem, Henry 
County, Sept. 19, 1847. His father, Joel C. (iar- 
retson, was one of the early pioneers of Henry 
County, who settled there in 1837, nine years be- 
fore Iowa w.as admitted into the Union as a State. 
He was born in Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by 
occu]iation, and early in life removed from his na- 
tive .State to Highland County, Ohio, where he was 
married to Mi.ss Elizabeth Goodson. Mrs. (J. was 
a native of Ohio, and the ilaiighter of fieorge 
Goodson. Of this union there were born six chil- 
dren, all of whom are living. 

Albert II. Garretson passed his boyhood on his 
father's f;u'in, and entered upon his priniaiy studies 
in the district school. After becouiing sulticiently 
advanced he entered Whitticr College at S;ilein, 
Iowa, and after a j-ear's cour.se returned to the farm 
and engaged with his father in .agricultural pur- 
suits an<l stock-raising. Being ambitious and in- 
clined to literary tastes he commenced the study 
of l;iw in ls7s, and afterward took a full course in 
the law department of the Iowa State ITuiversity, 
from which he giaduMted in IS71I. lie then dis- 





ISr'Hr'Hr^ iHZC 







LEE COUNTY. 



posed of his interests on the farm, and opening a 
law olKce in Keokuk began the practice of his pro- 
fession, being joined the year following b3' his 
brother, John G., and they have operated together 
since tliat time. They are wide-awake, enterpris- 
ing men, and in addition to other interests are sole 
owners of the street sprinkling contracts in the cit}\ 
Their real-estate transactions include abstracting 
and convej'ancing, and they also buy and sell on 
their own account. 

Albert II. Garretson was married in Uctober, 
IS71, to Miss Emma L. Smith, of Henr}' County, 
Iowa. Of this union there were born four chil- 
dren, of whom Arthur G. and Earle died in infanc3-; 
tliose surviving are Henry H. and Daisj' G. After 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. G. moved to the 
northern part of Lee County, where our subject en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising. He finajly be- 
came connected with the Grange movement, and 
was prominently' identified with the < rder in this 
count}'. He is now Secretary' and sU.iclvhulder of 
the Keokuk Auction, a commission association of 
the city, banded together for mutual benefit and 
protection, and has been identified with the various 
movements of the cit}' calculated to increase its 
standing and jwpularity among other important 
towns of this and other States. 

^RANK SCMENK, Sii., of Keokuk, is one 
of the i>ioneer shoemakers (.>f the Gate City, 
^ ~ and although advanced in years, still plies 
his knife and hammer with the diligence and energy 
which were characteristic of liis earlier da3s. He 
is a native of the Kmi)ire of German}', his birth oc- 
curring in Baden on the 9th of March, 1S27, and 
received a good education ^n the sciiools of liis na- 
tive countr}'. He also sevved his apprenticeship 
there, and worked as a "jour" for some 3'ears 
afterward. He then emigrated to the. Lnited States, 
reaching Keokuk in Is.jO. Eive years later he was 
united in marriage, in St. Louis, Mo., witli Miss 
Louisa Kamuf, who was of German nativit}', and 
the}' became the parents of eleven eliildreu, six 
sons and five <laughters, seven of wliom still sur- 
vive. 

.Mr. Schcnk lia:r worked failhf ull}' at his trade for 




a period of fort3'-two years, and during his long 
residence in the Gate City has established himself 
in tlie confidence and esteem of all who know liini. 
He has been strictly upright and honorable in all 
his dealings, and has built up for liimself an envia- 
ble record as an honest man and a good citizen. 
He and his family are devoted members of St. 
Mary's Catholic Church. 






z^^APT. SAMUEL SPEAKE, a resident of 
|[ Nauvoo, but making his home mostly in 

^^k^' Montrose Milage, is one of the most skill- 
ful pilots of the Mississippi River, and has traversed 
the '• Father of Waters" since 1854. At that time 
he entered upon his responsible duties as pilot 
through the rapids between Montrose and Keokuk, 
and four years later was placed in charge of a val- 
uable raft which he floated from Stillwater to St. 
Louis. He worked for four months in the pineries 
of Minnesota, and was on the .St. Croix Lake with 
Joseph Hall, the commander of a raft from .Still- 
water to New Boston Bay, where they were obliged 
to lay up on account of higli water. In the 3'ear 
1881 he purchased a one-third interest with R. 8. 
Owen and others, in the packet steamers •' Prescott " 
and " Park Bluff." The " Prescott " is one of the 
finest steamers on the Father of Waters, and Capt. 
Speake is considered one of the foremost pilots now 
following the rapids. He has been a thorough 
business man, owns property in Montrose and Nau- 
voo, and is a general favorite among rivei' men, , 
and among his fellow-citizens when he is on terra 
firma. 

Capt. Speake is a native of Marion County, Ky., 
and the date of his birth was Oct. i'J, 1 62d. When 
he was a lad of six 3^ears, his parents moved from 
Kentuck}' to Illinois, and he received a very lim- 
ited education in the schools of the Prairie State, 
where he attendeil one week. He was a bright and 
ambitious bo}', however, keenl}' observant of what 
was going on around him, and luiide the most of 
his opportunities. At the early age of eleven years 
he started out for himself and decided upon his 
fntui'e course, which was to follow the rivei'. He 
was first engaged as cabin bo^-, and clind^ed up. 



Ihii 



inlili 








step by step, to his present responsible position. 
Nov. 27, 1860, Capt. Speake was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Minerva M. DeLislc, and (jf this 
union there are three children: Lucia A., who mar- 
ried William W()rthington,of I^incohi, Neb.; Annie 
li. and Franiv; the latter is a bright little boy of 
eight years. 



-*Tr<^ 





BKL C. ROBERTS.M. D., editor of the 
Ft. Madison Democrat, is a native of the 
//rii Empire State, born in C^ueensburj' Town- 
''' ship, Warren County, Jan. 15, 1830. 

His father, Jonathan Roberts, was a native of Co- 
lumbia County, N. Y., and his grandfather, Philip 
Roberts, was a native of the same State, but born in 
Dutchess County, and removed with his parents to 
Columbia County before the Revolutionary War. 
He there gi-ew to manhood, married, and reared 
his family there, where he spent the remainder of 
his da3's. 

Jonathan Roberts, the father of our subject, re- 
moved to Warren County when a young man, and 
purchased a farm in C^ueensbury Township. He 
lived there until 18;!2, and then traded his land for 
a farm in Rensselaer County, upon which he re- 
mained some years, then returned to Columbia 
County and established himself upon his father's 
homestead. After a few jears he was seized with 
a desire to see something of the western country. 
He first proceeded to Michigan, settling in Lenawee 
County in 1 831). The trip was made via the Firie 
Canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to Toledo, and 
then by rail to Adrain, Mich. He purchased a 
farm in Lenawee County, established a home, and 
remained there until the close of his life. In early 
manhood he was married to Miss Melita Commins, 

liqa native of New York, born in Nassau, Rensselaer 
County. The parental familj' consisted of twelve 
children, all of whom grew to become men and 
women, the subject of our sketch being the fourth 
in order of birth. He assisted his father on the 

gi farm during the summer seasons and in the winters 
attended the public schools. 

Dr. Roberts coninienced the stud3' of medicine 
in 184;), in llic ollice of Dr. .lohii C'adnian, at 







V,fid^ 




^£32 



W////////A 




Adrian, Mich. He then entered the medical depart- i i 
ment of the Michigan University, at Ann Harbor, jii 
from which he graduated in 1853, and at once 
commenced the practice of his profession at Otsego, 
Allegan County, remaining there until 1859. In 
the spring of that year he crossed the Mississippi 
and came to Ft. Madison, and has been contin- 
uously engaged in practice here since that time. 
He became editor of the Plaindealer that same 
year, and in 1862 was appointed Contract Surgeon 
at the United States Hospital at Keokuk, and held 
this position until 1863. In the spring of this year 
he received an appointment by the Governor of 
Missouri as Surgeon of the 21st Missouri Infantry, 
and went to the field with the regiment, remain- 
ing with them until 1 860, through the various cam- 
paigns. He was jH-esent at the battles of Tupelo, 
Miss., the two days' fight at Nashville, the seige 
and capture of Mobile, and many other minor en- 
gagements, remaining with his regiment until the 
close of the war, when he received an. honorable 
discharge. 

At the close of his military career Dr. Roberts 
returned to Ft. Madison and resumed the practice 
of his profession. He wasalliicted with rheumatism, 
which unfitted him for hard labor connected with 
his i^rofcssional duties, and he accordingly entered 
the field of politics and was placed in nomination 
for Treasurer of Lee County. He was triumphantly 
elected and served in this capacity for six years. 
He has been editor of tiie Ft. Madison Ufmocrat 
since the paper was first established, and has con- 
ducted his department in a highly crediUible and 
successful manner. While Contract Surgeon at 
Keokuk, he delivered two courses of lectures at the 
College of Phj'sicians and Surgeons, his subject be- 
ing the principles and practice of medicine. These 
lectures were considered of more than ordinary 
merit and very instructive. 

Dr. Roberts has also been quite an extensive 
traveler, hi 188U, on account of his health he 
crossed the ocean, and spent six months traveling 
through England, Ireland, Scotland, (iorinany and 
France. Two years later he made a trip around 
the world, st;irting from New Y'ork in the spring of 
1882, and landing at San Francisco the following 
September, .-ind during this lri|> s;i\v man}' strange 



LEE COUNTY. 



503 



sights and encountered people from almost all parts 
of the world. 

Abel C. Roberts and Miss Emily A. Cole were 
united in marriage March 2'J, 18.53. Mrs. Roberts 
is a native of Seneca County, N. Y., where she was 
reared and received an excellent education. Of 
her marriage with our subject have been born three 
children — Frances C, Nelson C. and Edward M. 
The family occupj' a fine residence in Ft. Madison, 
and are highly respected members of the com- 
munity. 

Dr. Roberts is a member in good standing of 
Claypole Lodge No. 13, K. of P., he is also con- 
nected with the K. T. and I. O. O. F. lie is a prom- 
inent member of his profession, and belongs to the 
Keokuk Medical Society, the Rocky Mountain and 
the American Medical Associations. 



•jl •-:^S^H 




ETER KLOPFENSTEIN, deceased, late 
of Pleasant Ridge Township, during the 
perio^ of nearly thirty years spent in 
this locality, was known as a valuable and 
highl}' respected citizen. He became the owner of 
a fine farm estate on section 13, comprising 370 
acres, the larger part of which is improved and un- 
der a good state of cultivation. It is provided 
with tvvo farm dwellings and all the necessary barns 
and out-buildings for the storing of grain and the 
shelter of stock and farm machinery. The accum- 
ulations of Mr. K. were the result of his own en- 
ergy and industry, and as a man and citizen he oc- 
cupied a prominent place among the leading resi- 
dents of Lee Count}'. 

On the 30th day of December, 18^6, Mr. Klop- 
fensteiu met with an accident in Burlington, Iowa, 
being thrown from the railroad track by an engine 
on the C, B. & Q. R. R., and suffered injuries from 
which he died on the 2d of January, 18H7, aged 
sixty-five years, six months and twenty -seven days. 
He was a native of "fair France," and was born in the 
Province of Alsaac, .Tune 5, 1821. He was the son 
of Christian and Barbara Klopfenstein, an<l was de- 
prived of a father's care when a little lad of six 
years old. Five years afterward the mother, ac- 
companied by the subject of tliis sketch and an only 








¥ 



1 



daughter, Mary, emigrated to the United States and 
settled in Wayne County, Ohio. Eleven years after- I 
ward they came to Iowa, and established a home i 
in Jefferson County, where the life of the mother 
terminated in ISOT, at the age of seventy-two 
years. Mary, the only sister of our subject, became 
the wife of Joseph Roth, and is now deceased. An- 
other son, Nicholas, came to the United States two 
years after the arrival of those- above mentioned, Ji 
and is now a resident of Washington Territory. 

The subject of this biography came to Iowa with 
his mother and sister, but subsequently returned to 
Ohio, where he remained until 1846, and was united 
in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Baughman, of 
Wayne County. Mrs. K. was born Dec. 15, 1823, 
and is the daughter of David and Anna (Garber) 
Baughman, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. K. and 
his wife came to Iowa in 1850, settling first in Jef- 
ferson County, where they remained for five years. 
They then came into Lee County, locating near 
West Point, and soon afterward Mr. Klopfenstein 
purchased 240 acres of the present homestead, 
upon which they settled and have since remained. 
Very little of the land was improved at that time, 
but with characteristic industry and energy Mr. K. 
set liimself to work to increase the value of his pos- 
sessions. He was prospered in his undertakings, 
and subsequently added 130 acres to his first pur- 
chase, and it now constitutes one of the finest 
farms in the Hawkeye State. 

Mr. and Mrs. K. became the parents of eight 
children, three of whomj two sons and one daugh- 
ter, died in infancy. The five remaining are Anna, 
the wife of William Phmk, of Davis County; Da- 
vid, of Denmark Township; Jonathan, of Pleasant 
Ridge Township; Katie is the wife of Joseph 
Melcher, of Burlington, Iowa, and Lizzie M., at 
home.' 

Mr. K. became prominent in the counsels of his 
fellow-townsmen, relating to matters of public in- 
terest, and occupied the office of Townsliip 
Trustee for two j'ears. Religiously he was a Men- 
nonite, and in politics affiliated with the Demo- 
cratic part}'. 

In the portrait of Mr. Klopfenstein, which is 
shown in connection with this sketcii, the artist has 
striven to faithfully copy the lines of a face so long t^^ 



5i 



n 






H 



11 



I 




C^; 






m 



familiar to a large uiinilicr of lliu residents of Lee 
Count3', as that nf a man universally esteemed for 
his strong and upright character, and the intelli- 
gence which constituted him a valued member of 
the community. As an approijriate accunipan\'ing 
portrait, that of liis wife is also presented, she who 
remained his faitliful and affectionate cc^nipimion 
until they were separated by death. 



ai- 



♦-J>!^- 



m^ 



<^*t— 






M( ILWAIN, Rector of 
St. John's Church, Keokuk, is one of the 
oldest resident ministers of the city, and is 



all ways has distinguished himself by his industrv. 
self-sacrifice and talents. 

The parochial residence is an unpretentious, ouc- 
story building, comfortable, but by no mean> I'lc- 
gant, and valued at the mt)dest sum of >!2.")ii. It i> 
situated ou an alley behind two churches, witli •■m 
inspiring outlook toward the sky. The rector h;is 
spent only two nights in Keokuk outside of his 
residence, having a remarkable affection for his 3-ti 
home. He is warmly attached to his humble wig- :> 

3 

wan), and during the last sixteen years of iiis life ; 
has never had occasion to ask for a cent of salary, 3|^i 
which proves in how high an estimation he is held i-i 
by his parishioners. His frugality and economy 3i;ii 
have enabled him to secure a competency, and h( 
has given cheerfully of his means to all worthy en- :.n 



^^^ widely and favorably known among the terprises in connection with religious matters and 5i;li 




cultured people of Lee County. He possesses fine 
abilities, is of commanding presence and noble 
bearing, and both mentally and physically is one 
of the brightest ornaments of the clerical pi'ofession 
in the West. 

Mr. Mcllwain is a native of New York, and was 
l)orii in Delaware County in January, 1.S44. In 
early years he was destined for the ministry, being 
carefully educated to this end, and took a full 
course at Harvard College and also at the General 
Theological Seminary of New York City. His first 
charge was over Trinity Church at Woodbridge, 
N. J., where he remained two ^ears, and in May, 
1871, came to Keokuk as pastor of St. John's. The 
fiW average term of his predecessors at this point had 
been about two years, and when Mr. Mcllwain 
took charge of the congregation the building was 
very much dilapidated and the society depressed 
by frequent disappointments and failures. Under 
his ministrations both the society and the building- 
soon began t,o improve. The old church was reno- 
vated and enlarged, a new organ put in, and niany 
other improvements instituted. The society soon 
began to increase in numbers, and the refinement 
and culture of the cit\' found this a jjleasaut resort 
for an intellectual feast. The Mission of the Holy 
^ Cross was soon established, and has grown into an 
independent parish. In addition U> otiier labors in 
the city Mr. .Mcllwain has held occasional services 
.■it .Montrose, Ft. Madison and Canton, Mo., and in 



W 



those which are calculated to be of material lnMiclil 
to society' at large. 



pILLIAM 11. KRETSINGEU, \ice Presi- 
dent and manager of the Iowa Farming 
Imjilement Company, w.as an early settler 
of Ft. Madison, and has been largely identified with 
the business interests of Lee County since his first 
arrival in tliis section of the comitry. He is a gen- 
tleman of more than ordinary business ability, 
genial and social in his disposition, and is one of 
the most valued citizens of Ft. Madison and vi- 
cinity. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of Herki- 
mer County, X. Y., born in the town of Fairfield, 
Julj' 10, IHU;. His father, (Tcorge Kretsinger, was 
a native of Schoharie County, N. Y.. and his grand- 
father, Jacob Kretsinger, who was born in (ier- 
many, was of i)uie Cierman ancestry, .and emigrated 
to America when a young man, m.-iking his first k)- 
calion in Sclmharie County. He first engaged in 
agricidtural pursuits, and later in trade. He spent 
the last years of his life in Herkimer County. 

(ieoige Kretsinger, the father of our suljject. 
went from Ids native county to Albany, and be- 
came a clerk there in .i dry-goods store. After a 
time lie removed In I'.iii lield. Herkimer County, 
where he estMlilished a home, ami remained there 



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..; ''li 









mrrrm 




J I TTTTnXI 



I IE the reitiainrler of his life. 

I : wns iinit(>d in itianiaoe with Miss Catherine Watev- 

u ; 

L : man, a native of the State of C'onneetituit, and 

u S ilaui>hter of (Uaddino- AVatevman, who was also a 



In early manhood he 



M native of Connecticut. Her parents' family con- 
5 sisted of five cliildren. twci of whom died in cnriy 
a youth. 

I The subject of our sketch is the only livini; 
§ member of his family. He received his early edn- 
1 cation in the district schools, and afterward took a 
§ course at Fairfield Academy. After leaving school 
he liecame engaged in mercantile pursuits at Fair- 
field, and was afterward occupied in the manufact- 
ure of farming- implements at Clayville, Oneida 
Co., N. Y., and was thus employed for about seven 
years. He then decided to seek a location in the 
JJlSgreat West for the scenes of his future operations, 
sand went to Chicago, 111., where he engaged in the 
jsale of farming implements and other heavy hard- 
Hware until 1871. He then came to Ft. Madison, 
and engaged in the manufacture of farming imple- 
iments as a member of the firm of .Soule, Kretsinger 
I cfe Co. 

In 1874 Mr. Kretsinger organized the Iowa 
: Farming Implement Company, and was appointed 
:its Superintendent. He is now Vice President and 
§ manager of the whole concern. The works give 
eniplo3'meut to 1150 men, and they manufacture 
^ha3'-forks, rakes, hoes, cradles, snaths, etc. The 
Ishops are furnished with all modern machinery, 
^; jseveralof which are the invention of the firm. They 
I i jhave instituted great improvements in farm ma- 
jljehinery, and their patterns are very popular .and 
have been largely adopted by other manufacturers. 



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Mr. Kretsinger was first married to Miss Adelia 



Slie bore him two sous, George and Fred, and 
away to join her friends upon the other 
Tbe second union of our subject was with 



itgSherwood, a native of Newport, Herkimer Co., N. 

li i passed 
iljshorc. 
1 i J Miss Martha Ramsdell, a native of Oswego County, 

: jN. v., and this union has been blest by the birth 
i^iof a daugliter, M. Adelia. 
ilj Politically Mr. K. is strongly Republican and 

■ luniformly votes with that party. He is a man 
i^jhighly esteemed in his community, and has added 

';inaterially to the industrial interests of the county. 
:He occupies a pleasant home and the family 




arc surrounded by all the comforts and many 
of the luxuries of life. Mr. K. has identified him- 
self with the interests of Lee County, and has con- 
tril)nted liberally and cheerfully to every measure 
calculated to advance the interests of his commu- 
nity, morally, socially or educationallj'. 

ORTOX BUCK, a wealthy and influential 
farmer of Green Bay Township, is one of 
the most extensive landed proprietors of 
this section, being the owner of 400 acres 
of land on sections 19, 20 and 24. He came to the 
Hawkeye State when it was in its infancy, and has 
watched with the deepest interest its growth and 
ilevelopment, aiding materially in the building up 
of his township and eonntv. 

Mr. Buck was born in Seneca County, N. Y., 
Aug. 30, 180(j. His parents were William .S. and 
Berrentha (York) Buck, natives of Connecticut, 
where they were reared and married, and from 
which they afterward removed, first to Penn- 
sylvania, then to New York, and subsequently to 
Hamilton County, Ohio. In this latter State they 
were the occupants of the farm of Gen. Harrison 
for nearly five years, in the meantime carrjdng on 
a dairy. William Buck afterward purchased a farm 
on the Big Miami River, in the western part of 
Ohio, and remained there for sixteen years. He 
then moved into Indiana, and located in Switzer- 
land County, where his life terminated, in 1843, at 
the advanced age of seventy-nine years. He was 
drafted to help capture Lord Cornwallis and his 
army near the close of the Revolutionary AVar, but 
owing to an accident could not go. He was a man 
of fine intelligence and decided views, and took an 
active part in education and politics, affiliating with 
the Whig partj'. The wife and mother departed 
this life in Hamilton County, Ohio, at the age of 
sLxty-five years. Their household consisted of 
eleven sons and two daughters, three sons and one 
daughter now living. 

The subject of this history was a lad of twelve 
years old when his parents removed from Pennsyl- 
vania to Ohio. He went with them to Indiana, and 
in early manhood, .Ian. 2(j, 1832, was united iu 



U^l ±X± l^ IXJ 1 Ul j 






marriage with Miss Rebecca A. Johnson, a native 
of his iiwii townshi|) mikI (•ouiitv, viz., Ulysses 
Township, Seneca Co., Ind., and was born Feb. (J. 
1812. Her parents were from New Jersey'; her 
father, John Johnson, carrying on farming, and also 
working as a carpenter. The maiden name of her 
mother was Mary A. (iifford. Siiurtly after their 
marriage they removed t(j and located in Switzer- 
land County, Ind., where they remained for about 
sixteen years. Mr.s. Buck was reared at home, and 
remained with her parents until her marriage. By 
her union with our subject she liecame the mother 
of nine children, three of whom are deceased, viz., 
Warren M., Ophelia and Huldah. The living are: 
Amos, Cymantha E., Weltha A., Adelbert H., Hal- 
sey J. and Emma J. 

Upon leaving Indiana, Mr. Buck, accompanied 
by his family, took passage on the Ohio and Missis- 
sippi Rivers, and landed at Keokuk, March 23, 1848, 
and made a crop about two miles west of Montrose. 
He located upon the present homestead Dee. 2, 
1848. Since that time he has been continuously 
engaged in the improvement and cultivation of his 
farm, has been successful in his undertakings, and 
has accumulated a good property. He has been a 
prominent man in the community since first com- 
ing here, his rare qualities and spirit of enterprise 
stamping him at once as fitted for a leader among 
his fellows. He has held many of the local offices 
of the township, and taken a prominent part in the 
deliberations of her citizens in all matters pertain- 
ing to the public welfare. During the existence of 
the Whig party he was its firm adherent, and cast his 
first vote for John C^. Adams as President. Upon 
the organization of the Republican party he cheer- 
fully endorsed its princi])les, and since that time 
has uniformly east his vote for its candidates. Dur- 
ing the war he was a strong Union man. In re- 
Sj ligious belief the family are Universalists. 



•■^^H-JSW^ 



<^5<?-nsf;^^- 




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city. 



ANIEL McCONN, one of the iionored pio- 
neers of F't. Madison, is one of its most 
prominent citizens, and has been largely 
identified with tiie business interests of the 

His name is familiar ail over Lee County, 



and he is one of the landmarks of the Hawkey e 
.State, coming here at a time when the country was 
but thinly settled, and assisting, with others, in 
m;irking out a patli for the advance of a later civ- 
ilization. 

Mr. McConn is a native of Ireland, and possesses 
all the sturdy and generous attributes of tiie sons 
of Krin. He was born in County Down, in Jan- 
uary, 18i;j. His jwrents were Ncal and Ellen Mc- 
Conn, and he remained with them until a lad of 
twelve years <>lil, wlien he set sail for Arherica in 
company witii his micle, the latter having com- 
mand of the vessel in which the.y sailed. They 
landed at New York City, where our young emi- 
grant made but a short stop, and then boarding the 
same vessel proceeded to Norfolk, \a., where they 
loaded with cotton and proceeded to Bremen. He 
followed the sea for three years, and then went to 
Baltimore, Md., stopping there with his brother, 
who was a large mill-owner and dealer in flour. 

Daniel McConn remained in Baltimore for the 
following twelve years, then proceeded to New 
Orleans, and engaged in boating on the Mississippi 
River. He followed the river between St. Louis 
smd New Orleans until the fall of 1836, When he 
w^as stricken down with yellow fever, from which 
he did not fully recover until the following spring. 
He then followed the advice of his physician and 
came up the river, his first location being at Galena. 
At this place there was then a hotel which was 
nothing more than a double log cabin. He stopped 
here a few days, but not being entirely pleased 
with the outlook, returned to 8t. Louis. On his 
way there he met a land-owner of P^t. Madison, who 
induced him to return with him to that town. 

In May of that same year, Mr. McConn purchased 
a stock of merchandise, and opened a store in Et. 
Madison, building up a business which continued 
thereafter for the space of twentj' years. He was 
greatly prospered in his undertakings, his genial 
and obliging manner and straightforward transac- 
tions securing him hosts of friends and patrons. 
His business rapidly increased, and in due time he 
erected a large warehouse and purchased grain, 
pork, and other country produce, shijiping them to 
St. Louis and New York. He was thus continually 
engaged until 1878, and then retired from active 



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I iTJtTrxirxiin- iirrxxTu M i iTiirrrrU; 



txTx u- r rrxirmi Txxrxi 



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business, having secured a competency. He is the 
owner of a fine farm one mile from tlie town, which 
is carried on by a tenant. 

Daniel McCoun and Miss Caroline Naomi Catter- 
niole were married in 1843. Mrs. McConn was a 
native of London, England, and from excellent 
early training and natural lialiits and disposition, 
was well calculated to become the jiartuer of such 
a man as our subject. After being the faithful 
companion of her husband for the space of thirty- 
three years, she departed this life in March, 1876, 
deeply lamented by her family and a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances. Their family con- 
sisted of the following: Laura is the wife of A. G. 
Adams, and they live in Burlington, Iowa; Henry 
D. is Cashier of the German-American Bank of Ft. 
Madison (see sketch in another part of this work) ; 
Richard is a resident of Leon, this .State; Lizzie 
married Mr. J. R. Flannigan, and lives in Ft. Mad- 
ison ; John D. is in Kansas, and Hugh is in Topeka, 
the same State. 

Mr. McConu is not connected in membership 
with any church, but has all his lifetime endeavored 
to follow the precepts of the Golden Rule, and to 
do unto men as he would have them do unto him. 
His forrn is a familiar one upon the streets of Ft. 
Madison, and he enjoys the highest confidence and 
esteem of his fellow-citizens. Although strongly 
Democratic in politics, he alwa3's votes for the best 
men, regardless of party. 



#># 




^/KLIX T. HUGHES, attorney at law, Keo- 
kuk, is a native of Illinois, and was born in 
St. Clair County, Nov. 10, 1838. His 
father, Joshua W. Hughes, is a native of Mrginia, 
a blacksmith and farmer by occupation, and resides 
in Scotland County, Mo., aged seventy-nine years. 
In early manhood Joshua W. Hughes vvas united 
in marriage with Miss Martha Askins, a native of 
Kentucky. She has been the faithful companion of 
her husband for over fifty years, and is still living, 
aged seventy-eight j'ears. The parental family con- 
sisted of five children, of whom tiie record is as 
follows : William, who is a farmer of Indianola, 
Iowa; John, who is carrying on agricultural pur- 



suits in .Scotland County, Mo. ; the third son was > JH 
F. T., our subject; Joshua, an attorney at M t. i MB 
Pleasant, Iowa; Martha, the only daughter, resides HH|} 
with her parents. flBt} 

The early life of the subject of our sketch -- iiPf •"■' 
passed upon the farm and in attendance upon the [ 
common schools. He also took a course at the 
Academy of Troy, Iowa, and for several years 
afterward studiously employed his time in the 
reading of law. He was admitted to the bar in 
1806, and entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession at Lancaster, Mo., where he remained thir- 
teen years. He then came to Keokuk, and after 
a time became associated with William T. Rankin 
of that city, and they Iiave since operated under 
the firm name of Hughes & Rankin. 

Mr. Hughes is one of the prominent members of 
the profession in Lee County. He has been the at- 
torney of the Missouri, Iowa & Nebraska Railway 
Company since the time of the building of their 
road, in 1871, and also during the time it was op- 
erated by the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway 
Company, under lease. He is now the President 
and General Counsel of the same road, under its 
new name, the Keokuk & Western. Although mak- 
ing railroad law a specialty, Mr. Hughes has also fol- 
lowed the general practice of his profession, and oc- 
cupies a worthy position among his legal compeers 
in this State. He has a clear head for business, and 
as an advocate and counselor ably represents the 
claims of his patrons. 

The marriage of Felix T. Hughes and Miss Jean 
A. Summerlin was celebrated in the city of Mem- 
phis, Tenn, Aug. 1, 1865. They have four chil- 
dren living — Greta, Howard R., Rupert R. and 
Felix H. 

Politically Mr. Hughes affiliates with the Repub- 
lican party; he was one of the Greeley' electors for 
the State of Missouri, in 1872. He has been deeply 
interested in educational matters, and served for 
four years as Superintendent of public schools for 
Schuyler County, Mo. He is a liberal-minded citi- 
zen, and has generouslj' contributed of his influence 
and means to encourage every work and purpose 
calculated for the growth and advancement of his 
city and county. At his present residence. No. 312 
North Fifth street, he, with his family, is enjoying 




the (romforts of life, and the confidence of his 
townsmen and the people among whom he li!i> Imill 
up a valuable practice in Lee County. 

As a representative member of the legal pro- 
fession of Lee County, the publishers of this Al- 
Br.M lake pleasure in jiresenting the poi'trait of Mr. 
Hughes in this work. 






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ox. IIORACK WA.SHBL RN. The subject 
of this biography is one of the honored old 
settlers of Des Moines Township, where he 
has carried on farming successfully for the 
last thirt3'-flve years, and is consequently one of 
the familiar landmarks in this section of the Hawk- 
eye State. He is an extensive laud-owner, having 
at the time of coming here purchased 900 acres, 
whicli was thou wild ,'ind unbroken. He has since 
that time been actively- engaged in its cultivation 
and improvement. :uid now h.TS 3G0 acres of the 
finest lanil in this part of the countrj', the larger 
part of wliich is under a high state of cultivation. 
Mr. Washburn is a native of Canada West, and 
was born in Leeds Countj', April 13, \S\^. His 
father, Kbenezer Washburn, was a native of \'er- 
mont, and came of an old fa mil}' who were promi- 
nent in the earl}- politics of the United States. His 
f.ather took him to C'anada when a bo}%- and .he re- 
mained there until he was married to Miss Hannah 
Sexton, also a native of X'ermont, of German de- 
scent and New England parentage. Thej- remained 
three years in Canada after their marriage, and 
until aftei- the birth of their son, our subject, when 
the}' came back to the United States, cro.ssed the 
Mississippi, and settled in Lee County, Iowa, where 
the decease of tlie father occurred in Des Moines 
Townslii|). The uiother died in 1845. They were 
most excellent and worthy people, and highly re- 
'St speeted wherever they made their home. 

Honice Washburn c^ame into Iowa in 1842. mak- 
ing his first location in Charleston Township, this 
county, but shortly thereafter removed into Des 
Moines Township, which he lias since made his 
home. He had received careful training from his 
excellent parents and iiad acquiic d liabits of indus- 
try and economy, and after coming here set him- 
self industriously to work to establish a home and 



to become a man among men. His efforts, espe- 
cially as regards the letter, were attended with suc- 
cess. One of his first ventures was the erection of 
a sawmill, with a grist attachment. This he had 
operated only a short time when it was destroyed 
by fire, and involved great loss to Mr. W. He 
soon, however, recovered from this disaster, and 
then turned his attention to the pursuit of agri- 
culture, in which he has been fairly successful. 

Mr. W.ashburn was married at Xauvoo. 111., to 
Miss Caroline Mott. a native of the Dominion, and 
of the same county as himself. She remained with 
her parents until she became a young woman, and 
came vvith them to Iowa. She became the mother 
of six children, four of whom survive — Lydia, 
(leorge, Martha and Horace M.; the deceased are 
Tabor, and an infant unnamed. The faithful wife 
and mother departed this life at her home in this 
township, in about 18.56, on the 1 0th of March. 
Mr. Washburn's second marriage was .solemnized 
with Miss Lydia A. Hutchinson, a native of Ohio, 
and of this union have been born six children — 
Caroline, Sarah, Esther, Harry, Clara and Maria; 
one is deceiised. 

In politics Mr. Washburn was formerly a Repub- 
lican, but considered that he had reason to change 
his views, and now casts his vote with the Demo- 
cratic party. He has represented his county in the 
.State Legislature for one term, with great credit to 
himself and satisfaction to all concerned. The 
family occupy a fine homestead, everything in and 
around it giving evidence of taste, culture and am- 
ple means. Mr. Washljurn is a striking example 
of what a young man with strong hands and habits 
of industry may .-iccomplish. He has been uiainly 
self-educated, and h.as made the most of his oppor- 
tunities in life. All honor is due him for what he 
has accomplished, and for surmounting dittieulties 
which would have dismayed many a man with less 
courage and determination. 

ylLLIAM WILLIA:MS0N. a prosperous 
merchant of Urimi'ose Vill.age, in Harrison 
Township, has been n resident of this sec- 
tion for over twenty years, and in that time has 
built up for himself an enviable reputation as a 



LEE COUNTY. 



611 



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good citizen and a practical business man. His 
stock consists of diy-go<.)ds, groceries, hardware, 
boots and shoes, and everything pertaining to a 
general dry-gouds and grocery store. lie also deals 
largely in country produce, and has built up a 
prosperous trade and secured a large circle of 
friends and patrons. 

Mr. Williamson is a native of the Buciieye .State, 
having been born in Coshocton County. May 18, 
183."5. He is the son of John and Margaret ^Cun- 
ningham) Williamson, natives respectively of Coun- 
ties Antrim and Donegal, Irelaud. They came 
to the L'nited States when young people, and were 
married in Pennsylvania. "John Williamson met his 
death by drowning, while crossing .Sugar Creeli, in 
a lumber wagon. There also perished with him at 
the same time, two of his nephews. The wife and 
mother still survives, and is living in Harrison 
Township. The parental household included thir- 
teen children, as foUows: Sarah J., Frank. William 
of our sketch, Nancj-, .John, Mathew, Ebenezer, 
.Samuel, Joseph, James, Margaret, David and Lewis. 
Ten of these are still living. 

Mr. Williamson of our sketch was married in 
Lee County, Aug. 5, 1873, to Miss Hattie .Stinson. 
She was born in Linn County, Iowa, in 1854, and 
is the daughter of Robert Stiuson, a native of New 
York State, who died in 1878. Of this union there 
has been born one child, William. 

Mr. Williamson came to Iowa in 186-i, and lo- 
cated in Lee County. Nine j'ears later he removed to 
Primrose, and engaged in niercantde pursuits in 
company with Mr. Leazer. He subsequently pur- 
chased the interest of his partner, and has been sole 
proprietor since that time. They started witli a 
capitid of %1,800, and Mr. Williamson now carries 
a stock valued at S3,000. He is Republican in 
politics, and in all respects is fulfilling the duties of 
a good citizen. 



^-^^l^^^^Skk^^f^^ 



-«-v 



/^ HARLES A. WARWICK, a proprietor of 
jlf^ the Keokuk Beinocmt, and business mau- 
^^f^ ager of the tirm of Warwick <fe Ransom, suc- 
cessors to Madden. Kicliorn i IJechtold, is a na- 
tive of Butler County, Ohio, and came to tiie 



Hawkeye State in 1855. His birth occurred on the 
25th of November, 1852, his parents being A. S. 
and .Sarah (Smith) Warwick, who settled in Xew 
Boston, Lee Count}'. 

The subject of this biograpliy was but a child 
tiiree years of age when lie came with his parents 
to Lee County. His boyhood was passed on a farm 
and in attendance at the public schools, and when 
fifteen years old he went to Des Moines, and was 
emplo^'ed in a grocery store for four years. He 
then returned to Ft. Madison, where he became 
shipping clerk for the prison contractors, which 
position he also occupied for four years. In May, 
187.5, he came to Keokuk, and was employed by 
the Gat^ Citi/ office as traveling and city solicitor, 
being thus occupied for a few years, and tiien 
became city editor, and later took the responsible 
post of business manager. On Aug. 1, 1886, he 
retired from the Gate City and purchased his 
present business. Under his judicious man.age- 
meut the paper has become one of the leading 
journals of this section of the .State. 

The marriage of Charles A. Warwick and Miss 
Eva M. Stranahan was celebrated in Louisville, 
Ky., on the 5th of .September, 1879. Of this union 
there were born two daughters — Virginia E. and 
Alice M. The affectionate wife and mother de- 
parted this life three short years after her mar- 
riage,'her death occuring on the 23d of May, 1882. 

Mr. Warwick, both socially and as a business 
man, iS held in high esteem in the community. He 
is a Republican in politics, and a member in good 
standing of the Masonic fraternity and L O. O. F. 



ON. CONRAD SCHWEER. a successful and 
influential farmer of Harrison Township, is Ljzl 
the possessor of a fine homestead located 
_ on section 27. He came here with his par- 
ents at an early day, and by the exercise of industry 
and perseverance, coupled with a worthy ambition 
to excel, has accumulated a tine property, and oc- 
cupies an enviable position as one of the leading 
men uf this locality. He is a representative of 
that valuable (ierman element which lias assisted so 
materially in the developiiieut of the Hawkeye State, 




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and which comprises a large proportion of its most 
valued citizens. 

The subject of this history is .the son of Chris- 
toplier and Dora (Hartnian) Schweer, both natives 
of the (merman Empire, who emigrated to America 
ill 1839, landing at New Orleans on the 4th of 
March. The ocean vo^'age occupied eleven weeks 
and three days, and they were five weeks on the 
journey from New Orleans to Alexandria, Mo. 
From there they proceeded to what was then the 
Territory of Iowa, and coming into Lee County 
made their first location in Harrison Township. 
Christopher Schweer, in his own country, was a 
skilled artisan, a worker in fine ivorj^, but after 
coming to this section, there being no demand for 
the products of his handiwork, he became engaged 
in farming pursuits, which he followed until the 
close of his life. His death occurred on the 7th of 
August, 1886, on the homestead where he first lo- 
cated, and where the mother of his children folded 
her hands for her final rest twenty-four years before, 
after having been a loving wife, a faithful compan- 
ion and friend. 

The parental family- of our subject consisted of 
seven children, of whom Conrad is the only surviv- 
ing member. He had obtained a liberal education in 
his native countr}- after an uninterrupted course of 
seven years' study, and after coming to the United 
States set himself industriously at the task of ac- 
quiring the same proficiency in the English lan- 
guage. In this he made remarkable progress. He 
was fond of his books, and only spent his time over 
such works as were beneficial and instructive, and 
the result is that he is possessed of an excellent 
fund of knowledge, which has rendered him one of 
the most intelligent men in his localit}'. 

At the age of twenty-eight years, Conrad .Schweer 
was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Klinder, 
their union taking place on the 24th of June, 1852. 
Mrs. 8. was a native of the same country as her 
husband, and came to America in 1849, at the age 
of nineteen years. After remaining the faithful 
companion of her husband for twcnt^'-six years, she 
departed this life, leaving eight children, of whom 
six are now living. Charles married Miss Kate 
Leisy; Mary became the wife of F. Vornkahl; she 
was the niutlier of finii- chiklren, and is now de- 



ceased ; Louis married Miss Emma Leisy; Martli.-i 
became the wife of Adolphe Leisy ; Sophia is now 
Mrs. Scheuerman; Christopher is unmarried, as is 
also Conrad, the youngest child. 

"Sir. Schweer has perf(jrmed a father's first and 
best duty toward his children in giving them all a 
liberal education, both in German and English. 
The homestead is one of the finest in the county, 
and besides a beautiful farm dwelling, comprises 
760 acres of valuable land. Attached to it are good 
barns and outhouses, costly farm machinery, and 
all the implements for carrying on agriculture after 
the most modern and approved methods. 

Mr. Schweer has represented the people of Lee 
County in the Iowa Legislature, being a member of 
the Thirteenth and Fourteenth General Assemblies. 
He is a Democrat in politics and a prominent 
member of the P^vangelical Lutheran Church, of 
which he has served as Trustee for a number of 
years. As will be seen, his life has been a remark- 
ably busy one, and in addition to his ordinary ag- 
ricultural pursuits, he is extensivel}' engaged in the 
breeding of high-grade Short-horn cattle, his herd 
containing some of the finest animals to be found 
in the Hawkeye State. As a farmer he has no 
superior, and as a factor in the industrial interests 
of this section, he occupies a position which could 
scarcely be filled l)y any other man. 



^i-^- 



\Y|ACOB RENWALD, Postmaster of Summit- 
ville, in Montrose Township, is a large prop- 
erty owner, and is carrying on a general 
merchandising business. His stock in trade 
consists of dry goods, groceries and provisions, 
hardware, boots and shoes, etc., and he is doing a 
thriving and prosperous business. The history of 
Mr. Renwald is replete with interesting details. He 
is a man of culture and education, an extensive 
reader, and a lover of the fine arts. 

Mr. Renwald is a native of (iermany, born in 
IJaden in IS.'il, and came to America when a young 
man, witli his mother, in l.s.').'!, his father having 
departed this life ten years previously, on the 17th 
of May, 184;i. .lohn Renwald, the father of our 
subject, was born Api'il ."), 17117, and in early man- 



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LEE COUNTY. 



hood was united in marriage with Miss Barbara 
Shaffer, who was a native of Germany. Their wed- 
ding occurred in 1822, and they became the par- 
ents of five children, three only of whom lived to 
maturity, two dying in infancy. Arbogast, born 
July 21, 1823, died Aug. 10. 187.5; .lohn was born 
Dec. 27, 1827. 

Jacob Renwald, the subject of this biography, 
eleven years after his arrival in this country, look 
to himself a life partner in the person of Miss 
Elizabeth Sibert, their marriage occurring July 19, 
1864. Mrs. Renwald was born on the banks of 
the River Rhine, in Rhenish Prussia, Feb. 12, 1843, 
and is the daughter of John and Catharine (Neu- 
bauer) Sibert, both natives of Germany. They 
emigrated to the United States, making their first 
location in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the mother de- 
parted this life in 1856. Mr. Sibert afterward re- 
moved to Iowa, and died at Keokuk in 1867. Their 
famil3' consisted of three children : Catharine be- 
came the wife of George Appelbanm, of this 
county, and died in 1885; Belzer was a soldier in 
the late war, and was never heard from afterward ; 
Elizabeth is the wife of our subject. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Renwald have been 
born thirteen children, as follows: Charles F., 
May 19, 1865; Catharine A., May 9, 1866; Theo- 
dore F., Sept. 11, 1867; John H., Jan. 31, 1869; 
George W., June 4, 1870; Louisa M., Feb. 23, 
1872; Mary E., May 13, 1873; Annie E., Aug. 3, 
1874; Jacob A., May 11, 1876; Edward J., March 
19, 1878; Elizabeth L., July 25, 1879; Paulina F., 
Sept. 29, 1880; Helena F., Aug. 27, 1883. 

Mr. Renwald received careful home training and 
a fine education in the schools of Aufenburg and 
Freiburg, in Baden, attending continuously for 
eight years. After this he took up the study of 
medicine, but abandoned it after about three 
months' reading. After coming to the United 
States he crossed the Mississippi and located in 
Keokuk, Iowa, where he engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness for two years. About this time came on the 
financial crisis all over the country, when many 
men failed, and " hard times " set in in good earnest. 
Mr. Renwald found himself at " bed rock," but in 
1857 he purchased a stock of goods, went to Sum- 
mitvillo and emjayed in trade. He soon had a 




^ 



prosperous business established. For some time 
after coming here he had hoped and expected to 
be able to return to the Fatherland and resume the 
study of medicine, but as time pi-ogressed it seemed 
best to abandon this idea, and instead of being a pro- 
fessional man, he is one of the foremost merchants 
of Montrose Township. His gentlemanly bearing 
and courteous demeanor toward those with whom 
he comes in contact has won for him a large circle 
of patrons and friends, and he is rapidly accumula- 
ting a handsome competency. He is already the 
possessor of valuable village property, and has a 
fine farm of 1 80 acres. Upon this is a choice vine- 
yard, the fruit of which yields him a handsome in- 
come. 

Mr. Renwald received his commission as Post- 
master in 1864, and has held the office since that 
time, being as far as is known, the oldest Postmas- 
ter in Lee County. He was appointed Notary 
Public in 1877, which office he still holds. He has 
been interested in every question calculated to ben- 
efit his county and community, and has especially 
encouraged the advancement of educational inter- 
ests, having served on the School Board for a num- 
ber of years. Religiously he is loyal to the Catho- 
lic faith of his fathers, and in politics uniformly 
and conscientiouslj' casts his vote with the Repub- 
lican party. 



SAAC VAN AUSDALL, of Jackson Township, 
is one of the extensive landed proprietors of 
Lee County, and the possessor of 477 acres on 
sections 2 and 35, in Ja<tkson Township. He has 
been a resident of this vicinity since 1853, and for 
a period of thirty-three years has been an inter- 
ested witness of the changes and improvements 
which have been going on within the boundaries of 
the Hawkeye State. Mr. Van Ausdall is a native 
of Preble County, Ohio, and was born July 6, 1810, 
his parents lieing Peter and Rachel (Banta) Van 
Ausdall, natives of A'irginia, who removed to Ohio 
after their marriage. Their family comprised five 
sons and six daughters. 

The subject of our sketch was reared in his na- 
tive .State, and wi\en a young m.an engaged in farm- 
ing until 1853. He then determined to make his 




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future home in Iowa, and accordingly crossed the 
Mississippi, and pmriiascMl hisiircsent farm in Jacli- 
son Townslii]), iijjon which he settled and has since 
remained. Since coming here he has been indns- 
triously engaged in the lniproV(Mnent and cultiva- 
tion of his land. He has erected a cunifortable 
farm dwelling, good barns and outhonses, and has 
all the appliances for carrying on agricnltnrc in a 
tirst-class manner. 

Mr. Van Ausdall was married in I'reble County, 
Ohio, to Miss Kliza Grafft, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, who was born May 7, 1818. They have be- 
come the parents of thirteen children, eleven of 
whcJm survive: Peter; Martin married llettie 
Marshall, and they reside in Montrose Township; 
Rachel A. became the wife of II. H. Smith, and 
lives in Clark County, Mo.: Mary F. married Lu- 
man Hawkins, and their home is in Howard County, 
Ind. ; Maria is the wife of Burnham Carrick, and 
they live in Montrose Township; .Inlni married Ida 
Kerl)y, and they reside in Saxton, Mo.; Ilattie is 
the wife of Roy Brown, and lives in Adams County, 
111.; the others are Isaac, Jr., Harvey, Lyd;i iinil 
Lillie; David and Caroline are deceased. 

Mr. \'nn Ausdall is busily engaged in his chosen 
calling, and is the friend of good order, murality 
and education, and iu politics sympathizes with the 
(rreenback parly. Mrs. Van Ausdall and three of 
her daughters are members of the Christian Church. 

It is with pleasure that the publishers of this 
work present the portrait of Mr. Van Ausdall in 
connection with this sketch, as being that of a 
wortliy and honored representative of Jackson 
Township. 

OHN FRANCIS KEMPKER, foi nicrly pastor 
of St. Mary's Church, Keokuk, but now hav- 
ing charge of Riverside Parish, Washington 
'o., Iowa, is the son of Gerhard 11. and 
Theresa (Achelwilmes) Kempker, natives respect- 
ively of Kellinghausen and Swasdorf. Hanover. In 
the early spring i>f the year 1848, the parents of 
our subject, with their two children, Henry :ind 
Theresa, emigrated to the United States, coming 
directly to Iowa, via New Orleans, and settling down 
in Lee County. Foi >oiiie weeks they shared the 




hospitable roof of John II. Kempker. on Sugar 
Creek, Marion Township, ami when .Mr. K. had en- 
tered a homestead in Pleasant Uiilge Piairie he 
took up Ids quarters with B. Hellmnnn. ne.ir by, 
until his own log cabin was set up. The family 
were soon comfortably established therein, and lie 
set about the improvement and cultivation of his 
land, out of which he soon created a beautiful farm, 
and between him and his Yankee neighbors there 
sprang up a deep and enduring friendship,-which 
was at first commenced with sign language between 
the American and the ■•plucky Dutchman." In 
1 856 Mr. K. sold his farm in Pleasant Ridge and 
purchased the Patterson farm adjoining West Point, 
in order to secure better facilities for the education 
of his chihlren, whose number had now been in- 
creased by the birth of John F., Mary, Margaret 
and Bernard. The}- also wished to be nearer a 
Catholic Church, of which they were devoted mem- 
bers. 

John F. Kempker lirst opened his eyes to the light 
on the 18th of May, 1848, and some weeks later 
was given in baptijin, by Father J. G. Alleman, the 
uanie of John Francis. His first school days were 
entered upon after the removal of the faniil}' to 
West Point, when he was consigned to the care of 
Henr^' Krebs, a teacher of elementary branches in 
the Catholic school at that point, whose place was 
successivelj' filled by J. Meyer. T. Smithurst, and 
finally the Sisters of Notre Dame. In the autumn 
t)f 181)4 he commenced his Latin letters under the 
direction of the pastor. Father Mathias Michels, 
and in September, 1 8 (j.i, entered the Seminary of 
St. Francis near Milwaukee, Wis., as a candidate 
for the priesthood, continuing until 1872. But 
from 18t)8 to 1872 hemorrhage of the lungs seri- 
ously threatened his existence, twice bringing him 
to the brink of the grave. However, the pursuit 
of his studies in a more genial climate, first at 
Bardstown and then at Cajjc (^irardeau, assisted his 
naturally strong constitution, and he rallied from 
this danger. On the 22d of December, 1872, he 
was ordained to the priesthood at St. Francis Sem- 
inary by Bishop Henni, of Milwaukee, for the Dio- 
cese of Dubuque. He said his first Mass on Christ- 
mas at home, and after a vacation of three months 
was appointed the assistant of Rev. H. P. .Mt-.Meii- 



Ml 



3:1 



LEE COUNTY. 



517 



omy of Council Bluffs, where his visits to the out 
missions extenrled over seven eonntics. After he 
had filled his eiiarge acceptabl}- from Mareh 22. 
187;^. till .Jan. 22, 1874, he received the appoint- 
ment as pastor of Mt. Cavmel. Carroll City. Arcadia 
and Hillsdale, all in Carroll County. Iowa. In 
entering npon this appointment he found in the 
county about 12.5 Catholic families and one small 
church, without any real estate property. At his 
departure on the 1st of November, is?.'), there 
were over 300 families, with four cluirches and 
church [iroiierty, <jne Catholic school and a two- 
story parsonage. 

At this time our subject was called tu Lyons, 
where he gave his best care and attention to the 
churches at Lyons and Sugar Creek. In October, 
1877. he was appointed first resident pastor of 
Garnavillo, Clayton Co.. Iowa, where he built a 
pari>ehial residence and reduced the church debt 
several hundred dollars. Then, in .January, 1879, 
he was called to the Bishop's house at Dubuque, 
where he was treated with marked attention ; but 
in August of the same year, at his request to be 
assigned a mission, was appointed pastor of St. Jo- 
seph's, at Ft. Madisiin. 

Father Kempker found this parish discouraged, 
with a debt of $!t60. He was, however, received 
with such confidence and enthusiasm by the good 
people of old .St. Joseph's, and felt so happy and 
strong in his own home county', that during his 
three years' pastorate seveial impi'ovenients were 
made, the old deJjt was liquidated, and a fund of 
nearly *!2,000 on hand for the proposed building 
of a new church. From August, 1882, until the 
following April, he w.as the pastor of Neola, Potta- 
wattamie County, where he built a frame addition 
to the church; then for six months was pastor of 
Brookl3Mi, Victor, Griunell and Searsboro, in that 
time building a church at Brooklyn and another at 
(irinncll. In September, 1883, he came to Keokuk 
as pastor of St. Mary's Church. For the spiritual 
advancement of his charges he has preached every 
Sunday and labored without ceasing. 

In addition to re-opening the school at Keokuk, 
under charge of the Dominican Sisters, and Imild- 
iug a parochial residence, he also, actuated b}' the 
ove of study and desire of gaining useful knowl- 




edge, attended the regular sessions of the Keokuk L 
College of Physicians and Surgeons for two 
complete terms, and graduated as XI. D. Feb. 
24. 188ii. The following winter he was entrusted 
with the important parish of St. Mathias, at Musca- 
tine, in the absence of the pastor and the Bishop at 
Rome, and upon their leturn was assigned to River- 
side, in Washington County. His entrance here 
was signalized by a terrilile burglary, inflicted upon 
himself. Sleei)ing for a few nights alone in his 
(piiet Country house, in the dead of night, Maj- 22, 
18sii, three villains liroke into his room, knocked 
him insensible with n cluli. and robbed him of his 
money, w.ntcli and other valuables. He recovered 
from the shock in time, thankful that his life also 
was not taken. 

Father Kempker has a tine education, extending 
over a wide range of subjects, and comprising En- 
glish, German, Latin, (Treek, French, philosophy, 
theology. stenogTapliy, music, double-eutrj- book- 
keeping and his medical studies. His practical ex- 
perience has also taught him the science of archi- 
tecture and knowledge of building. He is a gen- 
tleman of fine address and polished manners, and a 
stranger would at once be impressed by the singu- 
larlj' fine character which is stamped upon his fea- 
tures and is indicated in all his movements. 

-o-HH-sfjjf ^:*:}:>jjt •*-><-«- 

HILIP SURRF;NA, a prosperous and enter- 
prising farmer, is carrying on agricultural 
operations on section 27, Van Buren Town- 
ship. There he has a fine homestead, is sur- 
rounded by all the comforts of life, and is fulfilling his 
obligations as an honest man and a good citizen. 
Our subject is a native of Penn.sylvania. and was born 
in Venango County April l."), 1825. He is the son of 
Philip and Elizabeth (Baker) Surrena, both natives 
of Westmoreland County. The latter deiiarted this 
life in her native State in ISa'.!. and her husband 
survived her ten years, dying in March, 1869, also in 
Pennsylvania. The i)arental household consisted of 
eleven children — George, Joseph, William. Richard, 
John. Philip, Catherine, Ann, Elizabeth, Nancy 
and Eve. 

The subject of this biography came to the Hawk- 



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eye State in 1870, making his first location in Lee 
County. He has followed agricultural pursuits all 
his life, and carries vn his fanning operations in ii 
methodical and systematic manner. His property 
consists of 100 acres of land, a fine dwelling, good 
barns and outhouses for the storing of grain and the 
slielter of stock, good farm machinery, and all the 
necessary appliances for carrying on agriculture in 
a first-class manner. He was united in marriage 
with Miss Nancy Gilchrist IJec. 27, 1853. Mrs. S. 
is also a native of Pennsylvania, born Nov. 12, 1829, 
and the daughter of William and Keziah ((; rimes) 
Gilchrist, both natives of Westmoreland Count}-, 
Pa. The faithful wife and mother yielded up her 
lifeinl8G6; the father still survives. Of their union 
were born eleven children, namely, Mary A., Nancy 
J., Keziah, Elizabeth, Martha, Jemima, James G., 
William H.. Robert 15., and two who died in infancy 
unnamed. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Philii) .Surrena have been born 
seven children, two of whom are deceased. Those 
living are Mary E., wife of Warren A. Dresser; 
George E., who married Miss Camp; the remainder 
are Elmer E., Philip P. and S3'lvester H. The par- 
ents are members in good standing of the Presby- 
terian Church, and in politics Mr. S. is strongly Re- 
publican. He has held the offices of School Treas- 
urer and Director and Road Supervisor. 

ON. JOSEPH M. BECK, Chief Justice of 
Iowa, and a resident of Ft. Madison, is the 
oldest Judge of the Supreme Court, and one 
of the i)rominent landmarks of the Hawkeye 
State. He has been prominent in ever^'thing that 
has aided in her development and progress morally, 
intellectually and financially. He is a man of great 
force of character, and has been foremost in the 
important questions of the day in his localitj' for the 
last fort}' years, and has aided greatly in shaping 
the destinies of a large section of country west of 
the Mississippi. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of Clermont 
County, Ohio, and was born April 21, 1823. His 
father, Samuel Beck, was a native of Kentucky, 
born in 1780, and his grandfather, Jeremiah Beck, 




was a native of London, England, and of an old and 
inlbiential family. He emigrated to the United 
States when a young man, and made his lirst location 
in Pennsylvania, near the Maryland State line. He 
there made the acquaintance of Miss Dinah Merr}-- 
field, who became his wife. After their marriage 
the young people moved to Kentucky and were 
amojig the pioneer settlers of that State. They be- 
came the parents of four sons and three daughters, 
of whom Samuel Beck, the father of our subject, was 
the second in order of birth. He was reared on the 
farm, and in early manhood went to Clermont 
County, Ohio, where he was united in marriage with 
Miss Hannah Morris, a native of Harrison County, 
Va., and daughter of Rev. Isaac Morris, a Bap- 
tist clergyman of Welsh nativity and descent. She 
was a sister of Thomas Morris, a United States Sen- 
ator of Ohio. Mrs. Beck departed this life in Indi- 
ana, in 1844, at the age of sixty-four 3^ears. Her 
husband afterward came to Iowa and died in Lee 
County at the age of seventy-eight j'ears. The pa- 
rental family consisted of eight children, four sons 
and four daughters, of whom the following survive: 
Isaac M., n physician of Brown County, Ohio; 
Samuel H., a farmer in Kansas; Joseph M., the sub- 
ject of our sketch ; Ann, who became the wife of J. 
T. Saunders, of Bushuell. 111. 

.Joseph M. Beck remained with his parents upon 
the farm until he was sixteen years of age. He had 
been a studious boy and closely applied himself to 
his Ijooks, and was now fitted to enter Hanover Col- 
lege at Hanover, Ind., from which he graduated in 
1.S42. He then became engaged as a teacher, and 
taught school in Kentucky about two j'ears, after 
which he returned to Indiana and entered the law 
office of Judge Miles C. Eggleston, of .Madison, and 
under the instruction of that eminent jurist became 
qualified for admission to the bar in the summer of 
184G. During the winter, however, he resumed 
teaching in Kentucky, and in 1847 set his face west- 
ward and came to Montrose, Iowa, where he com- 
menced the practice of his profession. 

In September, 1 HoO, Judge Beck came to Ft. Mad- 
ison, and has resided here since that time. His tal- 
ents and fine education at once obtained ready recog- 
nition, and he soon became one of the leading citi- 
zens. Two years thereafter he was elected Maj'or 




r'r'r'r'r'r'r'rLz'Add 




LEE COUNTY. 



521 



i* 



m 



of the city and Prosecuting Attorney. He advanced 
steadily step bj- step in his profession, and the 
various honors which had been heaped upon him 
culminated at last in his election in 1867 to the 
Bench of the .Supreme Court of the State, which 
position he has held for three terms, and is now 
serving the fourth. He has served more years in 
this capacity than any other man in the Hawke3'e 
State, and his decisions have been published in 
forty-seven volumes of Iowa Reports. 

Judge Beck assisted in the organization of the 
Republican part}^ and has since that time been a 
firm and uncompromising supporter of its princi- 
ples. He was from the beginning an anti-slavery 
Whig, and taught school in a slave-holding State at 
a time when the advocacy for liberty for the black 
man was extremely perilous. But he fearlessly at- 
tacked the " peculiar institution " and courageously 
defended the rights of the oppressed. 

As a citizen Judge Beck has been liberal minded 
and enterprising. He has contributed of his means 
to every purpose tending toward the progress and 
development of his community, and his influence 
has been apparent in all public enterprises. He was 
President of the Ft. Madison branch of the State 
Bank and was oile of the original incorporators of 
the First National Bank and Director during its ex- 
istence. He was President of the Ft. Madison, 
Farmington & Western Railroad Company, and was 
prime mover in the building of their road, which is 
now consolidated with the Burlington & Southwest- 
ern. He has been successful in his business under- 
takings and is the possessor of a considerable amount 
of real estate. Judge Beck has always taken great 
interest in educational matters, is strictly temperate, 
and a friend of the prohibition movement. He is a 
firm believer in the Christian religion and has been 
an active member of the Baptist Church since 1843. 
He was for many years Superintendent of the Sab- 
bath-school of his church and f)rganized the prison 
Sabbath-school of the Iowa Penitentiarj' at Ft. 
Madison, of which he was Superintendent for four- 
teen years. 

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage 
with Miss Clai-a C, daughter of Dr. William Rine- 
hart, June 15, 1854. Mrs. Beck was born in Union 
County, Pa., Aug. 25, 1833, and by her union with 



Judge Beck became the mother of three children, 
one of whom died in infancy. The living are 
William J. R. and Vallie E. Mrs. Beck died July 
9,1885. 

Judge Beck and his family occupy an elegant 
home, and are surrounded by the refinements and 
comforts of life. He is most gentlemanly and 
courteous in his manners, and at once secures the 
respect of all with whom he comes in contact. His 
strictly temperate habits and manner of living have 
preserved his constitution and physical powers to a 
remarkable degree. He has been a man of wide re- 
search and extensive reading, and there are few 
subjects upon which he cannot treat with profit and 
pleasure to those who are listening. 



#-# 




-s- 




^REDERICK W. JASTER, an enterprising 
German farmei' of Montrose Township, 
settled in this vicinity at the close of the 
late war, and has established himself as one of the 
worthy residents of Lee County. Mr. Jastcr was 
born in Germany, Sept. 17, 1836, and was there 
reared to manhood upon a farm. Mv. Jaster is the 
second child of John and Louisa (Schaak) Jaster, 
natives of Germany. The former was twice mar- 
ried, and became the father of ten children ; he 
lived and died in his native country. Mrs. Jaster 
was the j'oungest child of Peter and Margaretta 
( Akell) Maurar, also natives of Germanj' ; they 
were the parents of ten children. The father died 
in his native land, and in 1852 the mother came 
to this countrj\ and died at the residence of her 
daughter in Montrose, in the spring of 1869. at the 
ripe old age of eighty-eight years. 

In the spring of 1859 Mr. Jaster sailed for Amer- 
ica, arriving here in the month of June, and at once 
proceeded to Wisconsin, locating in the vicinity of 
Ripon, where he was einploj-ed as a farm laborer 
until the l)reaking out of the war, when he became 
a soldier of the Union, enlisting in Co. D, 8th Wis. 
Vol. Inf. He engaged with his regiment in the 
principal b.attles and skirmishes of a three years' 
service. At the battle of Corinth, Miss., he was 
wounded in the right foot by a musket-ball. Being 
enabled to reach Keokuk, Iowa, he was placed 



m 




'TiriirirrmxxiriJimurj 



'• ITTTTTT 



ill 522 



tEE COUNTY. 



the hospital there for a period of six months, after 
which he received an honorable discharge at Madi- 
son, Wis. lie then returned tu Lee Connty and 
settled upon Ur' farm in Montrose Township, 
which In- hail |ni'viously purchased, and which cdu- 
stitntes liis present homestead. lie has made great 
improvements upon this since it came intu his pos- 
session, and it is now supplied with a set of good frame 
huildinus and all nn)dern appliances. He subse- 
quently added tu his first purchase, and is now the 
owner of 2G7 acres, aljout half of wliicli is undei- a 
good state of cultivation. 

After his enlistment in tiie army Mr. Jaster was 

f married at Keokuk, Iowa, .Inly IG, 1863, being 
thou upon detached service and stationed in Keo- 
kuk, where he remained for thirteen months. The 
lady of his choice was Miss Magdalena Lenn, a na- 
tive of his own country', who came to the United 
States with her parents in 1852. Of their union 
-J- there have been born four children: .John and 
H (ieorge are still living; Katie and a babe unnamed 
■S died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. .1. are connected 
M with the Protestant Church, and politically Mr. J. 
affiliates with tlie Democratic part}'. As a repre- 
sentative citizen of his township, and a leading ag- 
riculturist of the count}', the publishers take pleas- 
ure in presenting the portrait of .Mr. .Taster in this 
volume. 





^ li. S. K. BAKER, a prominent wholesale 
inannfactnrer of medicines at Keokuk, 
Iowa, has been an esteemed resident of the 
Gate City for the past eighteen years. He is a na- 
tive of Pul.-iski, Oswego Co., N. Y., born in 1821, 
and the son of Nathaniel and Chloe (Fitch) Baker, 
natives of New York and Vermont respectively, and 
fgof German ancestry. Nathaniel Baker was a farmer 
1 by occupation, at which he continued until sixty 
I years of age, when he retired from active labor and 
ppent tiie last years of his life at the ht)nie of his 
daughter. Mrs. Ciiloe Hamilton, of Berlin, Wis. 



^^He and his wife were most excellent and worthy 
eoi>le, and transmitted to their cliildren those qual- 
i ities which have constituted them citizens deserving 
of the highest respect and esteem. 




The parental familj- consisted of four children, 
and the record is as follows: Lucy, now Mrs. Rob- 
erts, is a resident of Ashtabula. Ohio; her husband 
was a soldier in the late war, and died of wound^ 
received while in the service; the subject of our 
sketch was the second child; ^lary. Mrs. Balcom, is 
a resident of Waterloo, Iowa; Chloe. .Mrs. Hamil- 
ton, resides in Berlin, Wis. 

Dr. Bakciof this sketch received his primary edu- 
cation ill the public schools, and at the age of sev- 
enteen years engaged in fanning for live years fol- 
lowing. He then became interested in mercantile 
pursuits at Berlin. Wis., where he established a busi- 
nessanil operated there for six years. He then sold 
out and went to I<jwa City, where he engaged in the 
manufacture of medicines. Thence he removed to 
Indianapolis, and spent two years similarl}' engaged, 
in the meantime giving close attention to the sci- 
ence and compounding of chemicals and herbs. 

Dr. B.aker came to Keokuk in 1868. and since hi> 
removal here h.as been successfully engaged in th<- 
manufacture and compounding of medicines. Ilia 
name has become widely known along the valley of 
the Mississippi as a manufacturer. He has a large 
laboratory in the city, and employs about seventy 
salesmen. In addition to the duties of his profes- 
sion he also bears :in important part in the industrial 
interests of his locality. He is interested in the 
Keokuk City Cutlery Works, and was formerly Vice 
President and a Director of the Central Stove Works 
of Keokuk, with which he was identified from its 
commencement until be transferred his interest to 
his son. who is now \'ice President of the same. The 
Doctor is a stockholder in the Keokuk National Bank, 
and was connected with the Keokuk Canning Works 
for three years. Ho has, however, recently sold out 
his interest in this latter business. 

Dr. Baker and Miss Wealthy G. Buell were united 
in m.arriage at Waukegan, 111., on the 1 4th of Sejitem- 
ber, 1847. Mrs. Baker is a native of New York, and 
daughter of Abel Buell, who removed to Illinois in 
about 1841. Of this marriage there have been two 
children, Eugene .S., born in 1850, married .Miss 
Elizabeth Cochran, a native of Keokuk, and daugh- 
ter of Isaac K. Cochran. They are the [larents of 
three sons — Ross E., Jesse and M3'rle. This son is 
connected in business with his father, the ttriu title 







^PH233 i/jHr'rLr'K 
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bpino:S. F. J5aker & Son. Clara E. Baker was born 
ill liSG^, and remains at huine with her parents. 

Dr. Baker is a gentleman of deeidecl views and 
i>reat force of character, and has been a prominent 
man in the locality nlierever his lot has. been east. 
He is a stanch snp[Knter of the Republican party, 
and while in Iowa City was a member of the Cit^' 
C(.)Uiicil, and was i)ioniiiienth- connected with the 
Baptist Chnicii, of wiiich he was Deacmi for about 
fourteen years. lie is an extensive property holder, 
has dealt largely in lands in Iowa, Missouri and 
Wisconsin, and in this city owns the store between 
P^ighth and Ninth streets, and his business establish- 
ment on the corner of Eighth and Main, in addition 
to the barber shop and livery stable adjoining. He 
owns and occupies a tine residence on Fulton street, 
between Fllighth and Ninth, and is the proprietor of 
iither valuable residence property in the same local- 
ity, lie has taken an active interest in the welfare 
of his localit}', and has always been willing to con- 
tribute of his time and means for the promotion of 
ever3' worthy object. As a citizen he ranks among 
the first in the Gate City, and as a manufacturer has 
no superior in the Mississippi Valley. 

R. SUTTON, proprietor of the Keokuk 
Brass Foundry, occupies a prominent place 
among the successful and enterprising busi- 
ness men of the Gate Cit3', his business be- 
ing located at the corner of .Sixth and Blondeau 
streets. The business of this house was established 
in 187(3, gives employment to from five to fifteen 
men, and is an important factor among the in- 
dustrial interests of Keokuk. 

Mr. Sutton is a native of the Buckeye State, and 
was born in Cincinnati, July 17, 1833. He is the 
son of Tingley and Julia A. (Frost) Sutton, natives 
of Ohio and New Jersey respectively. Tingley 
■Sutton, the greater part of his life, was occupied as 
a builder and contractor, and the parental house- 
hold consisted of eight children. 

At the age of sixteen years our subject was ap- 
[irenticed to learn tlie machinist business, serving 
at his trade four years, and at the expiration of this 






time he was employed by the Little Miami Rail- 
road, where he continued for the following five 
years. He then determined to seek his fortunes in 
the farther West, and accordingly crossed the Mis- 
sissippi in 1 «5(;, and located in Keokuk. He finally 
l>ecaine connected with the C, B. & C^. R. R., of 
which he was master mechanic for a number of 
years. He seemed peculiarly fitted for his chosen 
vocation and became athoroughl3' skilled mechanic. 

Mr. Sutton was married in 1858, in Keokuk, to 
Miss Sarah J. Knight, a native of Canada, and 
daughter of .lohn and Rachel Knight. Of this 
union two children were born — Ollie .M. and Willie 
V. Mrs. Sutton died in 1880. 

Mr. Sutton has l)nilt up a large and prosperous 
business, and has the reputation of being one of the 
finest mechanics in tlie Northwest. The house manu- 
factures steam-heating apparatus, gas and |)lnml)er's 
materials, steam-pipe fittings, wrought iron fencing 
and castings, and every variety of brass goods in 
their line. The work turned out of this establish- 
ment is of the finest description and will bear com- _ 
parison with anything of its kind in the United \W^ 
States. Mr. P. -R. Snttou is a generous and liberal- IH- l| 
minded gentleman, genial and obliging to all, and 'J^'M 
ready to assist in any good cause or whatever will } 
be of benefit to his cit}' and community. He is in- 
dependent in politics, is connected with the Masonic 
f raternity% and has held the office of City Inspector. 
Aside from his foundry, he is the owner of a fine 
residence on Grand avenue, and is a stockholder in 
a Colorado gold mine. 



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(OHN H. CRAlti, attorney at law, and a 
member of the firm of Craig, McCrar}- <te 
Craig, Keokuk, has been a resident of Lee ^ 
_ County since 1857. He is a native of 
Pennsylvania, and was born in U'ashingtou County 
July 31, 1824. His father. Hugh Craig, w:us a na- 
tive of the same county, a farmer by occupation, 
and spent all his life in his native county, dying at 
the age of fifty-nine years. He was a rugged and 
robust man, and his death was caused by an acute 
attack of something like the cholera, from which 
he surteifed for tliirty-five days. His death occurred 



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in 1854, and he was the first of the family tube re- 
moved from this life. The mother of John H. 
Craig was also a native of Washington County, Pa., 
^ and departed this life two years after the death of 
uh] her husband, at the age of sixty years. The par- 
■^^ ental household cdhsisted of nine children, six sons 
and three daughters, of whom the record is as fol- 
lows : William, who went South at the age of 
twenty-one years, and there died in 18.53 of the 
yellow fever; Hugh K., who became a minister, 
and preached in the Baptist Church until his death, 
at the age of fifty-four years. The four sons now 
living are, John H. ; Alexander K., a farmer in his 
native county; Joseph, a farmer of Brown Count}', 
Kan., and Thomas B., a merchant of Washington 
County, Pa. Only one daughter is living, the eldest 
of the famil}', Martha, who now resides with her 
daughter in Kansas. 

The early years of Joini H. Craig were spent 
upon the farm, assisting in the lighter duties around 
the homestead and receiving a good education in 
the common schools. The ordinary studies were 
supplemented by courses in chemistry, philosophy, 
rhetoric and algebra. He afterwaril studied Latin 
under the instruction of the pastor of his church. 
At the age of sixteen years Mr. Craig left the farm, 
taught school for one term, and then attended the 
West Alexandria Academy for a period of four 
years thereafter. He completed the academic 
course in 1845, and was then engaged in teaching 
in the academy for a year, when he entered the 
junior class of Washington College, from which in- 
p^jjl stitution he also graduated in 1848. He met the 
expenses of this collegiate course by becoming a 
tutor of Latin and Greek in the college. • 

In the spring of 1849 Mr. Craig commenced the 
study of law with the Hon. T. M. T. McKennen, 
ex-Secretar^' of the Interior and ex-member of 
Congress. He had, however, confined himself so 
closely to his studies in school that his healtii would 
not permit him to continue them further; so, in 
jij^^'ii'the spring of 1850 he went to Natchez, Miss., where 
[ |H| he devoted his time to literary pursuits and teach- 
il-H.- ing. In the fall of 1853, his health being perfectly 
restored, he returned home. The following year 
he went to Wheeling, W. Va., and resumed liis 
!t ,ri^ " I't"" studies. The death of his father occurred 





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about that time, and he returned home to settle up ; ;} 
the estate. He afterward entered the law office of jlh 
Hon. William Montgomery, pursued his studies siS 
one year longer, and was admitted to the bar in £-;l 
1856. He then took a tiying trijj to the West, and 
in the fall of that 3'ear " stumped " the western 
part of his State for the Democratic party, and par- 
ticularly for his old preceptor, Hon. William Mont- 
gomery, who was then a candidate for Congress. 

After the death of his mother in November, 
1856, Mr. Craig concluded to seek his fortunes in 
the farther West, having now no very strong ties 
to bind him to his native State. Accordingly, the 
following spring he crossed the Mississippi, came E^ji 
into the Hawkeye State, and stopped in Keokuk to jih 
visit friends there. During this visit he was in- £ 
diiced to form a law partnership with Judge R. P. ^- 
Lowe and Gen. John W. Webb, but as Judge Lowe c 

was that fall elected Governor the firm dissolved. Es] 

c 

Mr. Craig, however, continued practice there, and 
has been associated with several different firms. 
He has also been attorney for the Iowa State In- 
surance Company since 1858, having made a special 
study of insurance law. The first important case 
with which he was connected was that of Nash and 
Redoubt, for the murder of Harris(jn, with which 
Mr. Craig assisted in the prosecution, and he has 
been connected with man}- of the important cases 
of Lee County since that time. 

Politically Mr. Craig has been a stanch supporter bI; 
of the Democratic party, but has uniformly declined 
to become a candidate for any office. He likes 
'• stump " speaking, as he considers it an excellent 
drill for an orator. He has taken a deep interest 
in educational matters, and was a member of the 
Board of Education for sixteen years and President 
of the Board for ten years. Religiously he is con- 
nected with the Presbyterian Church, to the sup- 
port of wliicii he contributes cheerfully and liber- 
ally. 

John H. Craig was married, in 1863, to Miss 
Alice Read, daughter of Daniel Read, LL.D., who 
was at that time Professor in the State University 
of Wisconsin, and afterward President of the State 
University of Missouri, and spent fifty-two years ;!; 
in various educational institutions. Mrs. Craig was 
born in Athens, Ohio, and by her union with our 



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Business Property of H.C.Spreen. 
Second St.. Fort Madison. 



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Residenceof M«j Adithea a. Heffleman ,Sec.,28. Jackson Township. 



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gubject has become the mother of four children — 
Daniel R., Bertha, Theodore and Hugh. Mr. Craig 
and his family occupj one of the pleasautest home- 
steads in the city of Keokuk. Mr. and Mrs. C. are 
jjB highly esteemed in their community, and are prom- 
- inent members in the social circles of the city. 
They possess refined tastes and have gathered 
around them a cultured circle of acquaintances. 
II Mr. Craig 'is a man of literary tastes and attain- 
ments, and occupies a high position among the 
attorneys of Lee County. 




ENJAMIN J. MARSH, a highly respected 
citizen of Washington Township, owns and 
occupies a comfortable homestead on section 
14, and has been a resident of Lee County 
since 1839, thus being fully entitled to be classed 
among the earliest pioneers of this section. He is a 
native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born 
March 16, 1822, being the fifth of a family of eight 
children, and was a j^outh of seventeen years when, 
with his parents, he crossed the Father of Waters 
and came into the Territory of Iowa. He received 
careful home training and a fair education in the 
pioneer schools. He engaged considerably in the 
manufacture of split-bottomed chairs, but the most 
of his time and attention has been given to agri- 
cultural pursuits. 

Mr. Marsh has been a resident of Washington 
1 IS Township the greater part of the time since coming to 
\i& Iowa. He has twenty acixs of finely cultivated land, 
\\S and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. In 
early manhood he was married in Greenville, Ohio, 
to Miss Tamson Mincer, also a native of Ohio, and 
who became the mother of one child, a daughter, 
Elizabeth, who married Samuel F. Hays, and resides 
in Washington Township. Mrs. Tamson Marsh 
died in Washington Township May 4, 1847. 

Mr. Marsh, for his second wife, married Miss 
Martha, daughter of Elijah and Maria (Ashby) 
Lake, their wedding occurring Dec. 14, 1848. The 
parents of Mrs. Marsh were natives of Indiana, and 
after their marriage came to Lue County, settling 
in Washington Township in ia44. There they 
established a comfortable home, where Elijah Lake 



died on the 25th of January, 1857. The wife and 
mother afterward went to Kansas, and died there 
in 1871. Their family consisted of ten children, 
of whom Mrs. M. of our sketch was the second in 
order 'of birth. She is a native of Dearborn County. 
Ind., the date of her birth being Kept. 21, 1829. 

Mr. and Mrs. Marsh became the parents of eleven 
children, only three of whom lived to mature years: 
Laura V. became a teacher, in the duties of which 
she was occupied for seven years in Washington 
Township, and died June 4, 1886; Cora M. died in 
Washington Townsiiip, Aug. 20. 1H83; Daniel is 
the only surviving child, 

Mr. Marsh has been prominent in the public 
affairs of his township and has held the offices of 
Ct)nstable and Justice of the Peace for a long term 
of years. There have been few important measures 
deliberated upon by the citizens of his locality in 
which his opinion has not been consulted and his 
judgment followed. He and his wife and son are 
connected with the Christian Church, as were also 
the daughters deceased. In politics he is a con- 
scientious Democrat, and uniformly easts his vote 
in support of the jirincipies of that party. 

^j^^EORGE KIRCHNER, a prosperous German 
(ll (—J farmer of Charleston Township, is the 
^^jj owner of a good farm of 227 acres, finely 
located on section 4. He has a substantial and 
liandsome dwelling-house, a good barn, and all the 
out-buildings necessary for the storing of grain and 
the shelter of stock. He has valuable farm machin- 
ery and implements, and in short, all the appliances 
for prosecuting agriculture in a first-class manner. 

Mr. Kirchner was born in Germany March 26, 
1839, and when a lad eight years old came to 
America with his parents. Adam and Catharine 
Kirchner. After coming to this country in 1847 
they proceeded directly westward, came into the 
Hawkei^e .State, which was then in its infancy, and 
settled in Charleston Township, where the father 
still lives. The wife and mother died the ?ame 
year in which they came to this country. Their 
family consisted of si.\ children — Henry (,dt- 



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ceased). Barbara, John, Catharine. George and An- 
drew. 

Tlie .subject of <jur skuloli reniaiiieii ii|juii tlie 
lomcstead with his father until his iuarriag:e, which 
occurred in IsiKi. He tlien purchased the farm 
wliicli constitutes his pi'esent homestead, and ha* 
remained upon it continuousij' since that time, en- 
gaged in tlie peaceful pursuits of an agriculturist, 
attending strictly to his own affairs, and building 
up for himself the reputation of an honest man and 
a good citizen. 

The maiden name of the wife of oui' subject was 
Katie Speisz. She was born in Ohio Nov. 20, 184G, 
and became the wife, of our subject April 20, l<S(;U. 
Her parents were Henry and Mary (Kj'nian) Speisz, 
both natives of (icrmany. They emigrated to 
America before their marriiige, coming to Ohio in 
1842, in which State tiiey were married. They 
how reside in Franklin Center. Their family in- 
cluded eight children — Katie, Phillip, Conrad, 
Maggie, JJzzie. Mary, Henry and Annie. 

Our subject and wife have become tlie parents 
yf seven children — Mary, IjCna, Lizzie. Henry, 
Phillip (deceased) Katie and Charlie. .Mi', and 
.Mrs. K.areci)nnccted with the Evangelical Church, 
ami in politics Mr. K. is a conscientious Democrat. 

L\IN .1. McCRARV, attorney at law, at 
Keokuk, Iowa, is a native of the Hawkeye 
.State, born in \an Huren County, March 
20. 1.S44. His father. Aimer H. McCr.ary, 
a native of North Carolina, was born in 1814. 
Wliilt! in his early childhood his parents removed 
from his native State to Vanderburg County, Ind.. 
where their s<jn grew to manhood and became ac- 
customed to farming pursuits. In 1834, at the age 
of twenty years, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Nercissa Mangiim, a native of Indiana, wiio 
was born in 1817. They remained in the latter- 
named State until 183.'), or one year after their 
marri.'ige, and then removed to McDonougli County, 
111., whence, after a year's time, they crossed the 
Mississippi and came into Iowa, settling in \'aii 
IJureii County upon a farm, and were engaged in 
.•igricnUiiral pnrsuils until .ilioul 1«78. Tiie\- liien 



went to Keosauqua. uhorc tliey are now living, re- l" 

tired from the active duties of life. They celebrated : 

the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding in iM.si. ;, 

upon which interesting occasion there were present y:^^ 



.•I large number of their friends and acquaintances. 

with quite a company of children and gi'ainl- jh 

children. 5:} 

The household of Abner McCrarv anil wife in- -h 



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eluded seven children, of whom six are now living, pi;i 
and of whom the record is as follows: William M. 3t i 
is !i merchant doing business at Council Bluffs; 
Miirrictta is the wife of W . .J. Carvin. of Kdgai. 
Neb.; .lames N. is a resident of lliirlinglon. Iowa; 
the next son is the suliject of our sketch; Curti~ 
K. is engaged in agricultural pursuits at Keosau- 
qua. Iowa; Ira C. is a merchant .-it Doud's .SUitiiiii. 
Iowa. 

Alvin.l. McCrary spent his childhood days upon 
his father's farm, receiving his primary education . 
in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen DEfi 
became a pupil of the High School. He subse- 
quently took a course at Oskaloosa College, and in 
1 s(J2 engaged in the mercantile business at Des : 
Moines, Iowa. This was during the progress of the " 
late Civil War, and in the spring of 1864 Mr. Mc- 
Crary enlisted in Co. F, 47th Iowa \'ol. Inf., in 
which he served five months, and was mustered out 
with his regiment. He then returned to Des Moines, 
and soon afterward came to Keokuk. He had for 
some time felt a strong inclination to enter the 
legal profession, and accordingly entered the law 
otiice of Rankin & McCrary, and commenced the 
study of law under the instruction of these eminent 
attorneys. He applied himself with diligence, and 
was admitted to the bar in 18G6, since which time 
he has been continuously practicing in the various 
courts of Iowa, and also the United .States Courts 
and in the .Supreme Court, 



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He has formed one of : ij 
the members of each of the sevcr.al firms succeeding : J 

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the old law firm of .Justice .Samuel F. Miller, of the 
United States Supreme Court, in direct succession, 
the present firm being Craig, JlcCrary & Craig. 
Mr. McCrary has given much attention to commer- 
cial law. .Hid lectured upon this subject for two 
years in the Keokuk Law School. The degree of 
A. M. was conferred upon him by the Central Uni- 
versitN of Iowa. 




rri'i H i v cinxi X Tx xx xxr, K 



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LEE COtTNTY. 



52!) 



IMr. MeCrary hns heen a prominent man in his 
< communitj' since first coming into Lee County. 
He lias always been a strong advocate of the prin- 
11 ciplesof the Republican part)-, and h^' his voice and 
vote has sought to promote the interests of the 
party of his choice. Although he has steadily de- 
clined to become a candidate for any political office, 
he has been connected with most public enterprises 
of this section for the last twenty years. He is 
President of the Central Stove Works, organized 
the Electric Light Company, and was instrumental 
in getting it under headway; he assisted in the 
oVganization of the Kookuk Law Library, and has 
been connected for many years with the Keokuk 
Library Association as Director. All these have 
necessarily involved a considerable outlay of time, 
and some means, but Mr. McCrary has contributed 
these cheerfully, and is willing to do much more 
for the advancement of the moral and educational 
interests of his county and community. 

Alvin J. McCrary and Miss Annie C. Ford were 
united in marriage .June 24, l)^i!«. Mrs. McCrarj' 
is the daughter of D. W. and Caroline M. Ford, 
and was born in Otsego County, N. Y., remaining 
i| there with her parents until the date of her mar- 
riage. JNIr. and Mi'S. McCrary have become the 
parents of two daughters, Grace and Inez. The 
former is now in her fourth year at Elmira College, 
N. Y. Their plea.sant home bears evidence of 
• cultured tastes and ample means, and is one of the 
I pleasant resorts of the society people of Keokuk. 
! Mr. McCrary is prominently connected with the 
Baptist Church of this city, and for fifteen years 
has been Superintendent of the Sabl)ath-school. 

JHILETl'S COWLES, an honored pioneer 
) of Ft. Madison, crossed the Mississippi and 
came into Iowa in l.sa«. He has watched 
I \ with intense interest the growth and de- 
velopment of his adopted State, and has witnessed 
changes and incidents sufficient to form a large vol- 
j unie. Mr. Cowles is a native of Otsego County, 
N. Y., and was born on the 10th of October, 1816. 
Isaiah Cowles, the father of our subject, when a 
iyqung man removed from Vermont to the State of 



New York, and there learned the trade of a mill- 
wright. He pursued this occupation while in the lat- 
ter State and after coming to Iowa. After cross- 
ing the Father of Waters he settled in Augusta, 
Ues Moines County, where he spent the last years 
of his life, dying on the 1st of .Tune, ISfiS. In 
early manhood he was united in marriage with 
Miss Phoebe Merriman, a native of his own State, 
who was born Oct. 20, 178(5. She preceded her 
husband to the better land about seven years, dy- 
ing at the home of her son. our subject, in Ft. 
Madison, Oct. 22, 1861. 

Philetus was the third child, and was three 
j'cars old when his parents removed to Allegany 
County. Six years later they went to Hinsdale, 
Chautanqua County, and at the age of sixteen he 
began work in a gristmill, which was the property 
of his father and uncle. When he was twent3'-tvvo 
>-ears old he starte<l West, making tiie trip by wa- 
ter and landing at Ft. Madison, this county, which 
was then a part of the Territory of Wisconsin. 
After arriving hei'e he engaged as car|)enter and 
joiner, and followed this occupation until 1863, 
then, in company with Mr. Atlee, engaged in oper- 
.ating a sawmill, first as letail salesman in the lum- 
ber-yard, and the last twelve years as fireman in 
the shingle-mill. Altogether he remained with Mr. 
Atlee for twenty-three years, an excellent recom- 
mendation foi- V)oth parties. 

In e.arly manhood Mr. Cowles was married, Nov. 
(i. 18;i6, to Miss .lane Simmons, a native of Mont- 
gomery County, N. Y., born Dec. 22, 181!). Of 
this union there was born one child, a daughter. 
Melissa, who now lives with her father. .Mrs. Jane 
Cowles departed this life March 8. 1,S4I. In Janu- 
ary, 1842, Mr. Cowles w.as married the second time, 
to Miss Diana Freeman, of Waterford, Caledonia 
Co., Vt., who was born July 18, 1817. Of this mar- 
riage there were born seven children, who are re- 
corded as follows: Elijah lives in Mebraska; Calvin, 
in Ft. Madison; Samuel, in Schoharie, Ness Co., 
Kan. ; Alva II., in Ft. Madison; Jane, the wife of Asa 
Cowles, in Holt County, Neb., and (ieorge and 
Ella, with their parents at home. 

.Mr. Cowles is a member in good standing of Em- 
pire Lodge No. 31, I. O. O. F., and has always 
taken a great interest in the success and progress 



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LEE COTTNTY. 



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of the order, and has assisted iti organizing lodges 
in different parts of the county. He is of high 
moral character, conscientious in his business trans- 
actions, and in all respects an honest man and a 
good citizen. 



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lhi,A ANNING W. STEVENS, a native of Litch- 
field County. Conn., has been a resident of 
Lee County since the fall of 1852. He is 
a ijrosperous and intelligent farmer, and 
the owner of a fine estate, consisting of 310 acres, 
and a fine set of farm buildings, comprising a 
handsome residence, which has been beautified l^y 
everything which a cultivated taste and ample 
means could afford, also good barns and out-build- 
ings, pleasantly located in Jackson Township, on 
section 12, and in variablj- attracts the ej'e of the 

I traveler through this region as presenting one of 
the finest views in the landscape of I^ee County. 

The subject of this biograpli_y was born Dec. 30, 
1823, and is the son of Sanford P. and Almeda 
(Collar) Stevens, natives of New England. The 
parental household comprised seven sons and two 
daughters, of whom Manning \V. was the second in 
order of birth. He was reared upon liis father's 
farm, received a fair education in the public 
schools, and remained under the parental roof until 
he' was nineteen years of age, when he went to 
Berkshire County, JLass., and was engaged as a 
farm laborer for his uncle ten seasons continuously. 
At the expiration of this time and when twenty- 
eight years old, in the fall of 1852, he came into 
Lee County, Iowa, and after six weeks spent in 
Keokuk, purchased a claim in Jackson Township, 
where he has been a resident since that time. Asso- 
ciated with him in this purchase was i\L\ L. R. 
Mellby, and it comprised an area f)f eighty acres. 
[ They immediately set about its improvement and 
cultivation, and were prospered in their undertak- 
ings. To this purchase Mr. Stevens sulisequently 
added as his means permitted until he is now the 
possessor of one of the finest homesteads in this 
section. 

The marriage of Manning VV. Stevens and Miss 
Julia A. Wadsworth was. celebrated in Berkshire 



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County, Mass.. Sept. 7, 1854. Mrs. S. is tlie daugh- 
ter of John P. and Mary N. (Stoddard) Wads- 
worth, natives of New England, and was born in 
Berkshire Co., Mass., Sept. 7, 1832. Her union with 
our sul)ject has been blest by th« birth of seven 
children, who are recorded as follows; Edward W. 
died at the age of twenty years, in Jackson Town- 
ship; Mary M. is a competent teacher, of several 
years' standing; Celia L, Charles M., Arthur S., 
Nellie M. and Rosa .1. are with their parents at 
home. 

Mr. .Stevens enjoys the confidence and esteem of 
his community in a marked degree, and has held 
the various minor offices of his township. He is 
Republican in politics, and takes an interest in the 
general welfare of his county and community. He 
is a skillful farmer, a straightforward business man, 
and has come into his present possessions by the 
exercise of his own industry and perseverance. 

(i^^HOMAS SMITH, of Et. Madison, has been a 
f(l^^ highly respected resident of this vicinity for 
^^^ thirty-eight years. He comes of a cultured 
and excellent familj', and is a native of the British 
Flmpire, having been born in Northamptonshire, 
England, Aug. 20, 1815. He is the son of Anthon3- 
and Annie (Eaton) .Smith, natives of the same 
country, and from whom he received careful train- 
ing in those principles which have constituted him 
a man among men and an influential and valued 
citizen. 

Thomas Smith grew to manhood in his native 
shire, and at the age of eighteen 3'ears engaged in 
the manufacture of boots and shoes. He was am- 
bitious and enterprising, and determined to seek 
his fortunes in the New World when the convenient 
time should arrive. In the meantime he had as- 
sumed domestic ties, and in the month of May, 
1848, he set sail witii his family from Liverpool, 
and after a prosperous voj'age landed at New 
York City. He started for the West with little 
delay, crossed the Fathei- of Waters, and came 
directly to Et. Madison, arriving here on the 29th 
of June. The trip from New York had been a 
tedious one, for they started out on the Erie Canal 








;.''^. . .■.-■:iv^-J*"-i^ 



»".v ■J^'iLi>A 1-^ '»' 




to Buffalo, by the Lakes to Chicago, from there by 
caual to Peru, and completed the remainder of the 
journey on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. 
Since the first settlement here, Mr. (Smith has been 
variously engaged. Among his first ventures he 
established a dair3^ and supplied the boats along 
the river night and da}' with milk, in which business 
he has been engaged for thirty-seven j'ears, and has 
prospered. 

The marriage of Thomas fSmith and Miss Mary 
Ekins was celebrated in Northamptonshire, En- 
gland, June 21, 1837. Mrs. Smith is a native of the 
same shire as her husband, and has remained his 
faithful companion for fifty years. Their union 
has been blest by the birth of seven children; the 
living are, AValter, Ekin, Edwin, Mary and Sidney. 
Charles F., the second son, departed this life Aug. 
'20, 1861, at the age of twenty years; he was a 
bright and promising young man, greatly respected 
by all who knew him, and his death was a severe 
blow to the entire family. Robert died Jan. 13, 1887. 

Mr. Smith and his family occupy a fine home- 
stead, where they are surrounded bj' all the com- 
forts and many of the luxuries of life. Their 
children have been carefullj' reared and well edu- 
cated, and occupy an enviable position in society. 
The sons are remarkably successful as business men, 
and enjoy the respect and esteem of their fellow- 
townsmen as the encouragers of every good work 
and purpose tending to the welfare of the city and 
count}'. 

"^ OSEPH A. SMITH, Cashier of the Bank of 
Ft. Madison, is a well-known and highly es- 
teemed citizen of that city and a gentleman 
who possesses ample means, and enjoys the 
confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He 
is of an enterprising disposition, warm-hearted and 
liberal, and has contributed in a generous manner 
to the progress and advancement of the business 
interests of this city. In addition to this he is highly 
educated, and possesses the happy combination of 
a cultivated mind in addition to the wise judgment 
and solidity essential to the successful business man. 
Dr. Smith is a native of Westmoreland County, 
Pa., having been born in Greensburg, that county. 



Feb. 27, 1821. His father, Nathaniel Ruggles 
Smith, was a native of Massachusetts, and was born 
in Roxbury, near Boston, Oct. 15, 1874. His grand- 
father, Ralph Smith, was also a native of the same 
town. We learn from a history of Roxbury by 
Francis S. Drake, that the ancestors of Mr. Smith 
settled in Roxbury previous to 1640, and were 
among the early settlers there. Ralph Smith is 
there spoken of in several places as an enterprising 
citizen, prominent in all public matters, and his son, 
the father of our subject, is mentioned as having 
delivered the oration at the Fourth of Julj' celebra- 
tion in 1812. His grandfather was enrolled in 
the Second Cavalry of Roxbury minute-men, April 
9, 1775. 

Nathaniel R. Smith, the father of our subject, 
received the most careful parental training, and 
after a primary course at the public school entered 
Harvard University, and graduated from that insti- 
tution with honors, after which he engaged in the 
profession of a teacher. In 1822 he removed to 
Pittsburgh, and while there established the first 
literary magazine west of the Alleghanj' Mountains; 
he was also its editor, and named it " Hesperus." 
He was also the first editor of the Saturday Eoen- 
ing Visitor, but devoted the greater part of his 
time to teaching. He was thus engaged for about 
twenty-five years, in the meantime having been 
married and become the father of a family. In 
1847 he went to Kentucky to visit a daughter 
living at Danville, in that State, and soon afterward 
engaged in teaching near Harrodsburg. He re- 
mained there about five years, when he removed to 
Farmington, Iowa, and pursued his occupation of 
teaching until his death, which occurred .Sept. 15, 
1859. He was the author of a grammar and 
spelling-book, and is referred to in notes of Kirk- 
ham's Grammar, as being a distinguished gram- 
marian. He was connected in membership with the 
Presbyterian Church. In early manhood the father 
of our subject married Miss Margery Smith, a na- 
tive of the North of Ireland, born May 12, 1788, 
who came to this country with her parents while a 
young child, and was married to the father of our 
subject at West Newton, Pa. She departed this 
life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Pollard, in 
Ft. Madison, Feb. 26, 1871. Of this union there 




iH 



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I rxraniiTnit < i x 





534- 



LEE COUNTY. 



li 




were born four chiklrcii who grew to years of ma- 
turity: Sarah married T. H. .1. Ayres, now de- 
ceased; our subject was the second eliihl ; .lames W. 
\V. lives in Ohio; Rebecca JS., now Mrs. Pollard, 
resides in Chicago, and is a lady of rare attain- 
ments and line education. She possesses consider- 
able literary talent, and has written under the mim 
de plume of " Kate Harrington." She is now ed- 
iting a new ])ublicMtion, to lie ivuown as the "Syn- 
thetic Sound S^'steni," for use in primarj' schools. 

Joseph A. Smith was carefully trained, and 
received his early education principally under the 
instruction of his gifted father. After arriving at 
suitable age he entered upon a course of study at 
Center College, at Danville, Ky., and at the age of 
twenty-three began the study of medicine at Smith- 
field, Ohio, under the instruction of Prof. Thomas 
AVood, and later with Dr. Ayers, of Danville. He 
commenced the practice of his profession in Bloom- 
field, Ohio, where he remained for two years, when 
he went to Berlin, Holmes Countj', the same State, 
and after practicing there three years, started for 
the farther West. He crossed the Mississippi and 
came into Farmington, Iowa, located there and 
remained until 1868. During this time he entered 
into partnership with George Schramm, and en- 
gaged in merchandising and pork-packing, doing 
an extensive and successful business for a period of 
twelve years, when he was solicited to go to Ft. 
Madison as the contractor for convict labor in the 
penitentiary. For various reasons he now con- 
cluded to abandon his profession for a time, and in 
company with others became one of the stockholders 
of the Ft. Madison Lumber Company, also of the 
Ft. Madison Chair Company and Ft. Madison 
Paper Company, and the Iowa Farming Tool Com- 
pany, and one of the original stockholders in 
the Keokuk State National Bank, now the State 
Bank. In 1871 he associated himself in partner- 
sliip with Charles Brewster, and they purchased 
the bank of Ft. Madison, of wiiich Dr. Smith has 
been Cashier since that time. 

The marriage of Joseph A. Smith .and Miss Ellen 
E. Laws was celebrated Dec. 4, 1844. Mrs. Smith 
is a native of Barnesville. Belmont Co., Ohio, 
where she was born June 14, 1820. She is the 
daughter of Panter and Mary (Moore) Laws, 



natives of Delaware, who i-emoved to Ohio in 181 "i. 
and were among the e.arly settlers of Barnesville. 
The journey was made overland with wagons, ami 
they met witli many interesting incidents while _ 
making their passage over the AUeghanj' Mount- |' 
ains. They were a brave-hearted pair, and bore s 
cheerfully the fatigues and privations incident to p 
the emigration and the life of the eai-ly pioneers. : 
They remained all their lives in the place of their 
first selection, and after their labors were over, 
were laid to rest in the vicinity of their home. : 

IMrs. Eleanore Smitii Kliart is the only daughter 
of the Doctor and Mrs. Smith. .She was adopted ; 
bj- them in earlj- childhood, and since that time has & 
reigned supreme in their hearts and home. \ 

She was married, Nov. .5, 1885, to Joseph C. c 
Ehart, a substantial business man of Ft. Madison. I 
The home prepared for her was but a step from \ 
the old homestead, and now both hearthstones are g 
gladdened by the coo of the fledgeling that has g 
come to bear his grandsire's name. P 

Dr. and Mrs. Smith are prominent members of " 
the Presbyterian Church of Ft. Madison. Dr. - 
Smith affiliated with the old Whig party previou> 
to its abandonment, but he considers th.nt he has 
since had reason to change his political opinion>. 
and is now a member of the Democratic party. 
Dr. Smith and familj' occupy .n fine homestead, and g 
are surrounded with all the comforts and luxuries S 
that ample means .and refined tastes can supply. 
The portrait of Dr. Smith, wiiich accompanies this 
sketch, will be recognized by all as that of a 
worthy and honored citizen. 

NOCH C. WILSON, an honored pioneer of 

Ft. Madison, when a young man crossed tlie B 

'J! Father of Waters for the jiurpose of estab- f 

lishing a liorne in the West. He was liorn in Cal- I 

vert County, Md., July 3, 1 820. His father, George = 

W. M'ilson, was a native of Virginia and settled c 

in Maryland before his marriage. He was a black- \ 

smith, and carried on his trade at Ft. Kepuljlic un- § 

til 1. S3 1, and then emigrated to Illinois. He was 3 

accompaniiHl by his family, and they traveled over- 3 

land to Pittsburgh, thence b}' the Ohio and Missis- E 



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sippi IJivers to Illinois. They settled iieiir Heards- 
tuwii and e'ngityed in farming, and there the mother 
died. lie sold out and removed to Eau Claire, 
Wis., in 18.">0. and tliere spent his last daj's in re- 
tirement. 

Enoch (i. \\iIson, of our sl<etch, was the second 
child of his [larents. and was eleven jears old when 
they removed from Maryland to Illinois? In the 
fall of l.s;j7 he eame to Ft. Madi.son and clerked in 
a saloon for one year, then went aboard the steamer 
" Pizarro," commanded b}- Capt. Harris. After 
two trii)s he was taken ill, and abandoned the river. 
lie was then engaged as clerk for Peter Miller, Sr., 
of Ft. Madison, with wh(jm he remained four j'ears, 
and after serving in the same capacity for other 
prominent merchants of this city, he, in 1849, be- 
came associated in business with Mr. Little, with 
whom he operated for the following eight years. 
He then purchased the interest of his partner and 
continued in business alone until l!S84. He carries 
a general stock of dry-goods, groceries, queens- 
ware, and everything pertaining to the needs of an 
ordinary familj'. He has conducted his business in 
;i straightforward and honest manner, and has se- 
cured a profitable patronage. 

Mr. Wilson was married in 1M50, to iliss Mar^- 
A. Reeves, of New York, and of their union have 
been born two children — Eugenia C and George 
H. ; the latter died at the age of two and one-half 
years. 



0^~ OL. RICHARD ROOT, Sheriff of Lee County, 
and one of its most poiJular and high!}' re- 
spected citizens, is a native of Marj'land, 

having been born Jan. 27, 18;34. He is the son of 
Bazil and Clementine Root, who were also na- 
tives of Mar^iand. Bazil Hoot was a lawyer by 
profession, and followed his vocation in the citj' 
of Baltimore. He was appointed Postmaster of 
Leavenworth, Kan., b}- President Buchanan, but 
died in IS5S, before filling the duties of that 
otHce. The mother died at the home of her 
sou, Daniel, in the citj' of Chicago in 1883. 
Daniel is engaged in business on the l>oard of 
Trade, Chicago, and does quite an extensive com- 



u 



mission business. The parental union was blest by 
the birth of six children ; five of the number, all 
sons, are still living. Their names are, Richard, 
Daniel, John, Howard and Zach. 

The subject of this notice received the .■idvan- 
tages afforded by the common schools until he w.as 
sixteen years of age, living the while under the 
parental roof. He then engaged in the coast survey, 
on the coast of Florida and South Carolina, and was 
thus occupied for about three years. Afterward 
he went to Denver, Col., with a supply train, from 
Leavenworth, Kan., and continued a resident of 
Colorado and Kansas until the first shot was fired 
on Sumter. At the first call for troops our sub- jMd 
ject immediately responded. He went to Henry 
County, Iowa, in 18(il,and there enlisted in Co. 
K, I'Jth Iowa Vol. Inf., and was elected First Lieu- 
tenant before leaving the State. The regiment 
passed through the State of Missouri and bivouacked 
at Prairie drove. Ark., where they participated in 
their first battle. Here the}- lost m.any men, and ^nfln 
our snliject, with eight non-commissioned officers, j^Ji 
was sent back to Iowa to recruit men to fill up the 
regiment. It was about this time that Col. Root 
received a commission from Gov. Kirkwood. of 
Iowa, as Captain of the .sth Iowa Cav., and he again 
went to the front, and soon after the battle of r j|ppj; 
Murfreesboro was i)romoted Major and given jillliil 
charge of the 2d Battalion of the 8tli Cavalry, and 
served in that capacity until mustered out. After 
being mustered out, our subject was commissioned 
Colonel, to raise a brigade of colored troops from 
those who followed Tien. Sherman in his famous 
march from Atlanta to the sea and through the 
Carolinas. This was for service on the frontier, 
and Col. Root succeeded in raising the brigade, 
which he .armed, equipped and clothed. Col. Root! 
was then ordered by Secretary Stanton to take 
charge of the 130th Colored Infantrv and move to 
Brownsville, Texas. This he refused to do, and 
the regiment was mustered out at Macon, (ia. 

Returning home from the field of conflict. Col. 
Root opened a hotel at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and for 
three years acted in the capacity of genial " mine 
host. " He was then appointed Deputy I'nited 
States ^larshal. of Iowa, witli headquarters at Keo- 
kuk, and faithfidly performed the iluties of that 




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ofHce for eight years. He was then promoted by 

President Arthur to Unitefl States Marshal of the 
State of Iowa, and continued to hohl the position 
for two years, when he resigned. He was shortly 
afterward elected City Marshrd of Keokuk, and 
held that position until he was nominated and 
elected Sheriff of the county, which position he 
holds at the present writing (1887). 

In 1853 Col. Root was married to Miss Angeline 
P. Brockman, who is a native of (Georgia, and the 
daughter of Col. Calvin Brockman. Their house- 
hold has been blest by the birth of three children 
yet living, the record being as follows: Joseph L. 
married ]\Iiss Julia Harrison, and resides in Keo- 
kuk, where he is general agent for an Iowa coal min- 
ing company; Florence L. and Dickie, the other 
two children, arc attefiding school at Chicago. 

Col. Hoot has just erected a fine residence on the 
corner of Sixth and High streets, costing upward 
of li^i-'iOO. It is a pleasant and beautiful home, 
and, surrounded by his happy family and numerous 
friends, he is passing his later years in the enjoy- 
ment of a sufficiency and happiness. In politics he 
is a Republican, and socially belongs to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and the I. O. (). F. 




-^«-Jst^- 



— 1> 



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OERIAH C. CAMPBELL, A. M., Superin- 
/ tendent of the Ft. Madison schools, occupies 
^_ ) a high social position in the city of Ft. 

Madison, and as an educator is considered without 
a superior in this portion of the Hawkeye State. 
Under his supervision the public school sj'stem has 
attained to a status very near perfection. Mr. 
Campbell is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
Mercer County, Feb. 23, 1844. His parents were 
John and Elizabeth (Grossman) Campbell, natives 
also of Pennsylvania. 

The childhood days of the subject of this biog- 
raphy were jiassed upon his father's farm and in 
attendance at the common schools. He was left an 
orphan at the age of ten years and placed under 
the care of his uncle, who acted as his guardian. 
The latter not approving of jiublic schools, caused 
the education of his nephew to be comi)leted in 




private schools at Pittsburgh, Pa., and Youngstown, 
Ohio. He was a bright and studious boy, greatly 
interested in his studies and determined to excel. 
In 1862, at the age of eighteen years, he entered 
Wilmington College, expecting to take a full course 
and graduate. The Rebellion, however, had now gcp 
assumed alarming proportions, and the patriotic gti 
heart of young Campbell constrained him to enlist p} 
in the Union service, which he accordingly did, and gn 
was mustered into the 8th Ohio Cavalry, but Se 
only served seven months, receiving an honorable 
discharge on account of physical disabilit}'. He 
then returned home and lived with relatives at 
Brookfield, Ohio, until 18()4, when he came farther 
West, crossed the Mississippi, and took charge of 
a milling business at Jlontieello, Iowa, for his aunt, 
whose husband had died suddenlj', leaving his 
business in an unsettled condition. Mr. Campbell p{ 
remained there about eighteen months, then re- 
turned eastward to Colchester, 111., where, with his 
brother William, he engaged in coal-mining. 

Notwithstanding his somewhat diversified occupa- 
tions, young Campbell kept one object steadily in 
view, namely, that of improving his mind by 
study, and reading whenever he had a leisure hour. 
After his arrival in Colchester he was prolfered the 
position of Superintendent of the public schools ;il 
that place, and the following year went to Macomb, 
and taught three terms of school at that place. He 
next went to Monmouth, 111., and taught as Princi- 
pal of ward schools for three years, and as Principal 
of the High School one year, at the end of wliicli 
time the latter was united with the Monmouth Col- 
lege. This institution, recognizing the learning and 
abilitj' of Prof. Campbell, conferred upon him the 
degree of Bachelor of Arts. From Monmouth he 
went to ISIattoon, and had charge of the schools 
there until 1877. He then crossed the Mississippi 
and located in Keokuk, Iowa, where, after teaching 
in ward schools for two years, he was chosen 
Principal of the High School, which position he re- 
tained for six years. He then vvent to Albia as 
Superintendent of schools tliere, and at the close of 
one year, resigned to aecei)t :i like position in the : 
Academy at Denmark. In 188G he resigned there Si 
to accept his present position at Ft. Madison. t' 

Since coming to Iowa, Superintendent Campbell E 



m 









LEE COUNTY. 



has taken the Post Graduate course of the Univer- 
sity of Illinois. He possesses a full classical educa- 
tion, and has given great attention to institute 
work, having been the conductor of institutes in 
Lee County for nine consecutive years. He is a 
student of the fine arts and literature, and is an 
author of no oi'dinary ability, having produced 
many valuable articles on education, which have 
been published in the leading journals devoted to 
this cause, and his name has now become a familiar 
one among the leading educators of the West. 

Neriah C. Campbell and Miss Louise E. Welch 
were united in marriage in 1864. Mrs. Campbell 
was born in Carthage, 111., and is the daughter of 
James E. Welch, who is engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in Hancock County, 111. Of this union 
there have been born three children: Cora I., now 
the wife of Charles E. Atchinson, a prominent 
broker and dealer in real estate at Albia, Iowa; 
Myrtle and Gertrude, who are at home. The family 
<>ccup3' a leading position in the best society of 
Ft. Madison, and their home gives amisle evidence 
of high education and cultivated tastes. Mr. Camp- 
bell is connected in membershii) with the Presby- 
terian Church, and has been an active worker in 
the Sunday-school for many years. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F. and I. L. 
of H. Politically his inclinations are strongly Re- 
publican, although he has never taken a very active 
l)art in politics. His tastes are purely educational, 
and books are mainly his comfort and delight. 






,^sA AMUEL KLEIN, an esteemed resident of 
'^^ the Gate City, is engaged with his son as a 
|ll/_j)) dealer in hides, pelts, tallow, and every- 
thing appertaining to their line of business, 
the headquarters of the firm being located at the 
corner of Main and Flightli streets. The firm of 
Samuel Klein (fe Son established its business in 1859, 
the subject of our sketch having come to this city 
tiu-ee j'ears previously from Illinois. 

Samuel Klein is a native of (iermany and a fine 
representative of that element which lias so mate- 



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^xxxxzmcxx X! 



n'njirt.r;~i~".".i!r.'ii:'5'. ii.i.'vri'rTnriT I 




rially assisted in the development of the industrial 
interests west of the Father of AVaters. His birth 
occurred in 1830, and in conformity with the laws 
and customs of his native Empire, he was placed 
in school at the early age of six years, and pur- 
sued his studies continuously until fourteen. He 
then served an apprenticeship at the tanning busi- 
ness, and at the age of twenty-one, not being quite 
satisfied with his condition or his prospects, set sail 
for the New World, whose western fields were then 
holding out rare indncements to the young and en- 
terprising emigrant. 

After landing upon American shores, Mr. Klein 
proceeded South to Columbus, (ia., where he en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits for one year, then 
came to Illinois, and locating at Pittsfleld, was 
there engaged in trade until- coming to Keokuk in 
1856. He carried on a clothing trade one year, 
then purchased a grocer}' stock, and in due time 
added to it transactions in hide and leather, pur- 
suing the combined trade until 1865. He then dis- 
posed of his grocer}- stock and turned his attention 
exclusively to the present commodities. The firm 
now occupies a fine brick block which Mr. Klein 
erected in 1872. It consists of two stories and 
basement, and occupies an area of lOxSO feet. 
Besides himself and his son, the business keeps four 
other men employed at this point and two men on 
the road. 

The marriage of Mr. Klein with Mi>s M. Wolff, 
a lady of German parentage and nativity, was cel- 
ebrated in 1852. Of their union tiiere were born 
five children, all living, viz. : Emmie, now Mrs. 
Weil, of Keokuk, and Louisa W., Joseph A., Mor- 
ris and Carrie unmarried. Our sul)ject and his 
family occupy a handsome residence at No. 1020 
Blondeau street, and their circle of warm friends 
and acquaintances includes the best people of the 
Gate Cit}'. 

Mr. Klein has been a prominent man in the af- 
fairs of his adopted city and county, and has been 
intrusted with important positions. He was a 
member of the Council as Alderman and Jl.ayor of 
the city ^wo tern, and is also a Trustee of the In- 
sane Asj'lum at .Alt. I'leasant. He is warml}' inter- 
ested in educational matters, and contributes of 
his means and influence to ever}' good work and 



I l^fTTTTT"""" rr-r^v^tii^^ 



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purpose calculated to benefit the community around 
him. Socially, he is President of District No. 6 of 
the 1. (). 15. 15., coiiiiirisiiii;: the States of Illinois, 
Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Ne- 
braska. 



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1). SIIKl'PAUI), of the tirni of Evans <t 
She|)p;n-d, lumber merchants of Keokuk, is 
a nativi' of New .Jersey, and was born Dec. 
23, 1841. He is the son of William K. and Sarah 
K. (Fithian) Sheppard, natives of New Jersey. 
William K. Shepiiard was a farmer l)_v occupation, 
and was coutinLiously engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits until his death in ISMl. The parental family 
consisted of ten children, all of whom grew to ma- 
ture years. 

The subject of this history remained at home, 
attended the common schools, and assisted in the 
labors on the farm until lie was sixteen years of 
age. lie then learned the trade of a blacksmith, 
and followed the same until tile lireaking out of 
the war. He tlien enlisted as a soldier of the Union 
in Co. F, 9th N. .1. Vol. Inf., and remained in the 
service for four years. During this time he partici- 
pated in all the engagements of his regiment, was 
in the battles of Roanoke, Newberne, and the two 
1 tattles of Kingston, was at the siege of Ft. Darling 
and in many other engagements and skirmishes. 
He enlisted as a private and was promoted Second 
Lieutenant Jan. f*, 1803, First Lieutenant May 11, 
1 .S(j4,and Ca|)taiu Feb. 28, 18G5. He was wounded 
in the right shoulder at Ft. Darling and confined 
for some time in Chesapeake Hospital, near Fortress 
Monroe. 

At the close of the w;ir Caj)!. Shejtpard was mus- 
tered out of service with his comrades, and went to 
Arkansas with Mr. A. 11. Kvans, his present part- 
ner, where they engaged in the cultivation of cot- 
ton and in merchandising .and the lumber business. 
They remained there eleven years, and then dis- 
posing of their interests in that section, came to 
Keokuk, and engaged in mercantile pursuits for 
two years, after which they established their pres- 
ent business. 

Capt. Shei)|):ni| isu lliiprougli-g(jing linsiness man. 



courteous in his manner and upright in his deal- 
ings, and has been successful in liis undertakings. 
He lias taken an active part in general and p(jlitical 
matters, is an advocate of prohibition, and casts his 
vote with the Republican party. 

L. I). Shepjiard and Miss Anna II. Lawrence 
were united in marriage in Pennsylvania in ls;7ii. 
Mrs. Sheppard is a native of New Jersey, and the 
daughter of Rev. Samuel Lawrence. Their union 
has been blest by the birth of four children — Helen 
M., Lawrence D., Anna L. and Edna (4. They oc- 
cupy a handsome residence at No. 7 1 2 Franklin 
street, and enjov the esteem of a large circle of ac- 
(luainlanccs. The Captain and Mrs. Sheppard arc 
prominently connected with the Presbyterian 
Ciuircli, and he is a mem))er of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 



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EWTON E. CLARK, of the firm of Clark 
Bros. & Co., wholesale dealers in leather, 
H\/^ saddlery and shoe findings, at Keokuk, with 
his partners is transacting an extensive and profit- 
able business, and is one of the representative fac- 
tors in the industrial element of this section. The 
business of this firm was established in the spring 
of 1851, by .lames Clark and A. P. Thom.-is, under 
the firm name of A. P. Thomas & Co. Mr. Thomas 
dying soon afterward, the business was continued 
by James Clark f<jr the space of a year, when he 
took in as partner Mr. William Van Nastiand, and 
they o|)erated together for two years. Mr. A^an 
Nastrand then retired, and the firm was re-organ- 
ized by two brothers of our subject, who continued 
the business several years, when II. H. Clark re- 
tired, and the present firm was established with our 
subject as a partner, since which time it has been 
known as Clark Bros. & Co. From a modest be- 
ginning tliey have ni.ade rapid advances, and erected 
a fine brick building 25x1011 feet in area, and three 
stories in lieight, with a basement under the whole. 
Their transactions extend over all the State of Iowa 
and into Illinois and Missouri. They carry a large 
and well-selected stock, and have become widely 
and favorably known as gentlemen of correct busi- 
ness methods and valuable citizens. 

Newton E. Clark was born in New Jersey on the 



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8tli of November, 1839. His parents were Ephr.aim 
aiifl Margaret Clark, of New .Jersey, the father 
being a tanner 1)}' trade, which business he pur- 
sued fur the long period of sixty-four years. The 
parental family consisted of eleven children, six 
sons and five daughters, of whom our subject was 
the youngest in order of birth. He received a fair 
education in his native State, and when a 3'outli of 
eighteen years started out to do for himself. He 
practically grew up in the leather business, having 
served a thorough apprenticeship with his father, 
and obtained a valuable knowledge of all its differ- 
ent departments. After coming to this city he en- 
gaged as clerk for several years with his brothers 
before becoming a partner, and their establishment 
is the oldest one of the kind which has continued 
since its establishment in the State of Iowa. 

The subject of this history was married in 1867, 
the maiden of his choice being Miss Kate, youngest 
daughter of Benjamin Jones, Esq., of Keokuk, and 
they have become the parents of live children, three 
sons and two daughters. In their pleasant and at- 
tractive home they are surrounded by the comforts 
and refinements of life, and are held in high esteem 
bj' a large circle of acquaintances and friends. 




L-^^HOMAS S. ESPY, attorney at law and Jus- 
tice of the Peace, is a pioneer citizen of Ft. 
Madison, coming here in 1845, when it was 
but a small hamlet. He is a native of Crawford 
County, Pa., and was born March 26, 1814. His 
father, Patterson Espy, was a native of the same 
State, and born in Faj^ette County. His grand- 
father, also a native of the Keystone State, was 
born in Cumberland County, and his great-grand- 
father, Peter Patterson Espy, was a native of Scot- 
land, and emigrated to the United States, settling 
in Fayette County, Pa., where he sytent the last 
years of his life, dying at the ripe age of one 
hundred and one years. 

The grandfather of Thomas S. Espy was a soldier 
during the Revolutionary War, and after the ter- 
mination of the conflict located in Crawford 
County, Pa., being among the early settlers there. 
He was a man of great energy of character, and 




besides engaging in agricultural purs\iits operated 
a sawmill, gristmill and a distillery. He was 
pnmiinent in all the counsels of his fellow-town.s- 
men, and served for many years as Justice of tiie 
Pe.ace. From the Hist lie was a leader in his com- 
munity, and his deatii, whicii occurred in 1 8;5-2, 
was greatly lamented. His brother, Prof. James S. 
Espy, was highly educated and a bright light among 
professional men. A sketch of this gentleman ap- 
jiears in Appleton's Encyclopedia. 

Patterson Espy, the father of our subject, was 
reared upon a farm, received his primary education 
in the public schools, and afterward attended Can- 
nonsburg College. After graduating from there 
he engaged in the mercantile business in Crawford 
County, and there spent the whole of his life. He 
was married in early manhood to Miss Mercj' Free- 
man, a lady who was born in Newark, N. J., of 
(.Quaker parentage. .She departed this life in Craw- 
■ford County in 1862. .She was a lady of rare in- 
telligence, a wise and judicious mother, and held in 
great respect by her neighbors and acquaintances. 

Thomas S. Espj' w.is the third child and eldest 
son of his parents. He was educated in the com- 
mon schools and graduated at Prof. Gamhel's 
Academy, at Jamestown, Pa. He also took a course 
at the select school of Rev. Roberts, at Andovei', 
Ohio. He taught one term when he was twenty- 
one years of age, and then went to Franklin, Pii., 
and entered the law office of Judge Alexander M<'- 
Calment, where he remained two and a half years, 
was admitted to the bar, and in due time became 
the partner of Judge McCalment, with whom he 
remained until 1845. He then became convinced 
that there was a broader field of operations beyond 
the Mississippi, in which he could .accomplish more. 
He accordingly came into Iowa and spent his (irst 
summer at Iowa City. In September of the same 
year he came to Ft. Madison, opened an office, and 
while building up his practice here purchased a 
rtouring-mill. the first one in the vicinity, to which 
he afterward added a distillery, and he superin- 
tended the management of both until 1.S56. He 
then :idmitted partners and established a foundry. 
The following year he sold the mill and distillery, 
l)at continued the foundry until IK.'iT. In the 
meantime he continued the practice of his profes- 





540 



LEE COUNTY. 



11:4 



sion here until 1 S63, when he proceeded to .St. Louis, 
engaged in practice, and remained there until insl, 
when he returned to Ft. JLadison and re-npened 
an oflice here. lie was elected Justice of the Peace 
in 1884. He has always been deepl}' interested in 
educational matters, and has been one of the School 
Directors of the township. He afterward served 
as Alderman and Mayor of the city, and in 1848 
was elected Senator from Lee County. 

Mr. P^spy cast his first Presidential vote for Mar- 
tin \'an Buren, and has been an uncompromising 
Democrat all his life. He was married, in 1.S40, to 
Miss Mary A. McBrise, a native of Erie County, 
Pa. Of their union seven children have been born, 
three of whom are living: Elizabeth, the wife of 
Joseph A. Nunn, lives in Washington Township; 
Emmette resides in Ft. Madison, and William G. 
in St. Louis. 

Mr. Espy is a prominent man in his community, 
hose judgment is highlj^ valued, and whose 
|)inions are sought ui)on all important matters 
concerning the welfare and progiessof the conimu- 
uit3'. He is liberal minded and generous, and the 
j-^ ready assistant of ever3thing affecting theadvance- 
M ment, morally or intellectually, of his city and 
county. He is a genuine t.yi)e of the men who have 
aided in bringing the Hawkeye State to its present 
position among the wealthy and prosperous States 
of the Union. 



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\f 8AAC A. MATTESON, one of the early settlers 
of Lee County, came to this vicinity iii the 
spring of 1 H.54, and has been a resident of the 
county since, over thirty years. During this 
lapse of years he has been an interested witness in 
the rai)id growth and prosperity of the Ilawkeye 
State, at which he has rejoiced in common with the 
balance of those who have assisted in bringing this 
section to its present condition. He is the owner 
of a fine farm estate, including 180 acres of valua- 
ble laud in (Jreen Bay Township, finely located on 
section 4, and is now living in,the enjoyment of the 

JPSSSS 



good things of life, earned by the exercise of in- 
dustry and a judicious investment and disburse- 
ment of funds. 

Mr. Matteson is a native of (iruenwich, R. L, 
and was born Ajn-il 14, DS1!1. His parents wore 
Greene and Sallie (Fowler) Matteson, natives of the 
same State, where tliey were married, settled, and 
spent their entire lives. (Greene Matteson was a 
farmer by occupation, and the parental family con- 
sisted of eleven children, three sons and eight 
daughters. 

Isaac A. Matteson of our sketch was the fourth 
child of his parents' family, and as soon as he 
reached suitable years he was emplo3'ed in the cot- 
ton and woolen factory of his native town, and re- 
mained there until he was twenty-six years old. 
He then changed his occupation, and engaged at 
carpenter work and as a machinist for several 
years. He fiually became foreman as a builder of 
railroad bridges, which he followed until the spring 
of 1853, when he started westward to Chicago. 111., 
and was engaged one year at that p(_)int in the con- I 
struction of railroad bridges. The following spring 
he crossed the Mississippi, and purchased the farm 
in this count}' which constitutes his present home- 
stead. Upon this he has remained since that time, 
with the exception of three years passed in Ft. 
Madison. His first purchase comprised 230 acres, 
a part of which he has since disposed of. 

Mr. Matteson was married in Smithfield, H. I., 
May 20, 1840, to Miss Joan, daughter of Benjamin 
and Isabella (Randall) Gage, natives of Massachu- 
setts and Rhode Island respectivelj'. Mr. Gage was 
a painter by occupation, and the family included a 
large number of children. Mrs. Matteson was born 
in Cranston, R. I., Oct. 22, 1818, and has become 
the mother of a son, Eugene L., who is married, 
and resides in Green Bay Township. His wife was 
Miss Eliza Speaks, of Green Bay Township, and 
they have a son and daughter, wlio were liorn in 
Green Bay Township. 

Mr. M. of our sketch is a member of the Board 
of Supervisors ot Lee Count}', to which he was ap- 
pointed in the fall of 1883, and was thereafter 
elected for three years. He has also served as Jus- 
tice of the Peace for manj' years, and has held the 
other minor oHices of his township. Politically he 




^^. 



attili.ites with tlie Democratic party, •ind takes nil 
active and intelligent interest in everytliing per- 
taining to the welfare of his township and conntj'. 

-^ 43~#- ^ 

THOMAS H. ALLYJs owns and occupies a 
snng homestead in Jackson Township, on 
section 27, and. is at present engaged in hor- 
ticultural pursuits. He is a native of Groton, New 
London Co., Conn., and was born Feb. 20, 1813, his 
parents being James and Fannie (Avery) AUyn, na- 
tives of the same town and State as their son. There 
were six children in the parental household, of 
whom our subject was the 3'oungest. 

Thomas II. Allj'n continued a resident of his na- 
tive town until he was about eighteen years old. 
His fatlier was engaged in the manufacture of fur- 
niture, which business yonng Allyn learned and fol- 
lowed for some time. He received his primaiy ed- 
ucation in the common schools, and later attended 
a grammar school for several terras. He then left 
the parental roof, and, in company with an uncle, 
journeyed to the southwest, and spent three years 
around the Gulf of Mexico. He then went to 
Buffalo, N. Y., thence to Canada, where he spent 
two 3'ears ; afterward to Cleveland, Ohio, where he 
became clerk in a canal office, and from there to 
Portsmouth, Ohio, where he remained for six years 
as Collector of the Port, where he had subsequently 
been Inspector. In 1846 he set his face westward, 
crossed the Mississippi, and coming into Keokuk, 
Iowa, made arrangements to engage in mercantile 
pursuits. Circumstances, however, induced him to 
change his location, and going to Nauvoo, 111., he 
opened a store for the sale of general merchandise, 
which he conducted during that season. He then 
returned to Keokuk, and the following winter 
opened a store and was occupied in general mer- 
chandising for several years afterward. He finalh' 
sold out, and in company with Silas Ilaight, assumed 
charge of the wharf boat for three years following. 
In 1851, in companj- with his brother-in-law, Mr. 
Allyn purchased the old Laclede House, which is 
now known as the Stanbergh House, and operated 
as "miue host" for three years. He then became 
Deputy in the post-offlce under Col. Patterson, was 



mail agent on the river from Keokuk to P 
St. Louis, and subsequently employed as clerk on 
the levee for about three years, being in 1857 ap- 
pointed Police Magistrate liy Judge Boyles. He 
fiUed the vacanc}' to which he was appointed until 
the time of the regular election, when he was re- 
placed in his position by the votes of his fellow- 
townsmen for another term. He served in this ca- 
pacit.v for two terms, and in the fall of 1859 was 
elected Treasurer and Recorder of Lee County. 

Mr. All}'!! occupied this last position for four 
consecutive years, and at the expiration of his term 
of office, in 1864, went South, and for one season 
engaged as a speculator in cotton. In the fall of 
that year he went to California, and after his re- 
turn the year following, again went South, and en- 
gaged in steamboating on the Cumberland River 
for one 3^ear. He purchased the steamer Wiiiond, 
which traded between Gulf ports and New Orleans. 
He then came to Keokuk and engaged in the whole- 
sale boot-and-shoe trade with a gentleman of that 
city, the style and title of the firm being Walters, 
Allyn <fe Co. He operated thus for one year, antl 
was then appointed Deputy Treasurer of Lee County, 
which position he acceptably filled for the space of 
eight years, having his office at Keokuk. He then 
purchased an interest in a marble-j^ard on the Illi- 
nois side of the river, associating himself with P. J. 
Tallon, and they operated under the firm title of 
Tallon & Co. for two years. Mr. Allyn then en- 
gaged as a dealer in real estate and other business 
of a like nature in Keokuk, and in the winter of 
1881 took possession of his farm in Jackson Town- 
ship, upon which he has remained since that time. 
This he has operated successfully, making the finer 
fruits a specialty, and has two fine orchards contain- 
ing a-variety of choice apple, peach, plum and other 
valuable specimens of the larger fruits. 

Mr. Allyn was married at Portsmouth, Ohio, Oct. 
22, 1842, to Miss Mary Turner, a native of that 
place, born Dec. 5, 1822. She is the daughter of 
John R. Turner, who was for fifty years Clerk of 
the Court of Common Pleas and Supreme Court of 
that State. He w.as also Presi<lent of a bank at 
Portsmouth, Ohio, Mayor of the city several times, 
and also Master of Chancery. He was a man of great 
intelligence and enterprise, and was highly esteemed 




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iT«rTTr^yxxxxtmtmnZ-XXl ■ 




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and respected ])y his fellow-citizens. lie war^ a sol- 
dier in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs;. AUyn have 
become the parents of one child, a son, Frank, wlio 
is an attorney at law at Keokuk. Mr. Allj'n is 
busilj' engaged in liis horticultural pursuits, is a 
straightforward business man and highl}' esteemed 
for his many excellent traits of character. He takes 
an interest in everything pertaining to the welfare 
of his community, and in polities is a reliable Dem- 
ocrat. 




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EV. FATHER WILLIAM JACOBY, of the 
German (Catholic Church of the Assumption 
at West Point, has been connected with this 
i) parish since 1870, and has fulfilled the du- 
ties of his high office in a worthy and acceptable 
manner. Before coming to West Point, Father 
.lacoby was first detailed for missionary work, and 
subsequently' took charge of the Church of the 
immaculate Conception at Lansing, Iowa, a position 
which he held for nine years, and during that time 
helped to build up the congregation to its present 
prosperous condition. 

Father Jacob}- was born .luiic 11, 1H35, inthe 
cit}- of Ettelbruck, Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, 
where he was reared and educated. His father, 
Peter, and his mother, Catharina (Berg) Jacob}-, 
were of pure German ancestrj', spent their entire 
lives in their native land, and were there laid to 
their final rest. Pete)' Jacoby was a successful shoe 
Tuerchant. 

Before Father Jacobj- came t»^) this country be 

possessed very little means and paid his expenses in 

: jl college by giving instruction to younger students, 

MM\ and was for seven 3'ears Librarian of the State 

Library of Luxemburg. This library contained 

100,000 volumes. He completed his classical and 

} philosophical studies at Luxemburg, and then came 

} to this country, unattended by relatives or friends. 

■"His isolated condition would have filled many a man 
with dismaj', but Father Jacoljy was made of stern 
ivTijijjq stuff, and kept his high aim steadily in view. That 
11 he fully succeeded in his endeavors his present po- 
} sition amply testifies. After reaching the United 
— —^States he entered the Theological Seminary at Mil- 




waukee, Wis., and two years later, in 1H68, was or- 
dained to the i^riestiiood i)y Bishop Hennessey, of 
Dubuque. 

Father .lacoby has developed remarkable talent 
for his pious vocation, and is greatly esteemed ami 
beloved by those who have the honor of his .ac- 
quaintance. Since coming to West Point he hn- 
increased his church membership very materially. 
Their house of worship is a remarkably elegant 
structure, the interior especially so. At the high altar 
is an oil painting from one ()f the m<n,sters of art, and 
a short time since, through the earnest efforts of 
Father Jacoby, the edifice was supplied with a very 
fine pipe organ. Through his efforts also there has 
been erected one of the finest school-houses in the 
State. It is located in West Point, and is an orna- 
ment to the town and a pride to the congregation. 
About 1.^0 pupils are in attendance at this school, 
of which Father Jacoby is Superintendent. Father 
Jacoby has always held aloof from politics, but so- 
cially is one of the most agreeable and companiona- 
ble of men. 




^,1 J. HAKDIX, Chief of Police of the city 
LiW of Keokuk, is also engaged in an extensive 



i) livery business, his headquarters being lo- 
(^ cated on Seventh and .Alain streets, at Su- 

perior Court-room. Mr. Hardin is a native of the 
Prairie State, and was born in Mclionough County 
Feb. 10, 1844. His parents were H. H. and Jane 
C. (McCord) Hardin, natives of Kentucky and 
Tennessee respectively. 

The father of our subject removed from his na- 
tive State to Illinois when the country was new 
and comparatively unsettled. He was an attorney 
bj' profession, l)ut subsequently took up the study 
of medicine, and practice<l his profession in Pike 
County, 111., afterward in Pike County, Mo. He 
came to Keokuk in 18.")1, where he followed his 
medical practice. He attained the age of eighty- 
five years, and passed to his reward in 1886. The 
companion of his earlier years, and the mother of 
his children, departed this life in the same year at 
the age of seventy-four. They were the parents 
of five children, of whom four are still living: The 
eldest son, John L., is a resident (_if Ket>kuk; A. J., 
our subject, was the second child of the family ; 




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Mary E., Mi-s. Hnngate, resides in McDonough 

County, 111. ; Harrison B. is in Keokuk. 

The subject of our sketch ciimo to this city with 
his parents at the early age of seven 3-ears. Heat- 
tended school in the winter seasons and was var- 
iously employed during the summer at whatever 
he could find to do, lieing an ambitious boy, and 
proud to earn various little sums of money, even 
at that early age. When he was seventeen yeais 
old there came a call for troops to assist in defend- 
ing a threatened liiion. \\'itli all the ardor of 
youthful patriotism he resolved to become a .sol- 
dier, and enlisted in Co. C, od Iowa Vol. Cal., and 
remained in the service for three j'ears and three 
months, lie was engaged with his regiment in the 
battles of Pea Kidge, Vickslnirg. .Jackson, Canton, 
and all the various battles and skirmishes of that 
eam|iaign. He endured the vicissitudes of war with 
soldierl}' courage and received an honorable dis- 
ciiarge at the close, returning home without even a 
scratch. 

After his return from the ai-my, ilr. Hardin 
serveil an appenticeship at the blacksmith trade in 
Keokuk, and followed this for seven 3-ears. He 
then accejited a position on the police force, .and in 
187! was appointed Deputj' Marshal. Four 3'ears 
later he became City Marsh.1l, which office he re- 
signed iu 1.S82, to accept a position with the I'nion 
Iron & Steele Co., of Chicago, as chief of their 
special police force. At the expiration of the year 
this company had failed in business, but Mr. Hardin 
remained as special custodian under the Tnited 
States Marshal. After a Receiver was appointed, 
Mr. Hardin was selected as special custodian under 
the Receiver, which position he occupied until he 
was waited upon Ijy a delegation from the Gate Cit}', 
with the request that he would return and become 
a candidate for the office of City Marshal. He ac- 
cordingly resigned his position, returned to Keo- 
kuk, received the election, and held the position 
until 188;j, when he declined to become a candi- 
date. He engaged in the livery liusiness, but was 
again urged by the people of Keokuk to resume 
his old position in the spring of -1886, and after 
much persuasion he assented, his last election being 
in 18.su. 

.Mr. Hardin was married in l.sTG to .^Ii.ss Kttle 



Hoppe, a la.dy of German ancestry and parentage. 
She only remained the companion of her husband 
until the following year, when he met with a sore 
bereavement in her death, by the dread disease 
consumption. C)f this union one child was born, 
M,aliel .].. who died at the age of about three month.s. 
Mr. Hardin was subsequently married, April 1.5, 
1 8)S.'>, to Mrs. Mary Haxell, the sister of his former 
wife, and also a native (jf Germany. Of this union 
there were liorn twin children, daughters, Mary and 
Etta. The latter died when three weeks old. 

Besides his peculiar adaptabUit3- to the position 
which lie has filled for such a length of time, Mr. 
Hai'din is also a successful and energetic business 
man. His livery outfit is one of the finest in the 
city, and the business gives employment to eight 
men. He has been prominently connected with 
the Fire Dep.artment of Keokuk, and in 1868 held 
the position of Chief. Politicallj- he is strongly 
Republican, and socially is a member of the I. O. O. 
P., G. A. R.. and the K. of P. 

Mr. Hardin and his family reside at No. 2(i North 
Tenth street. He is a stockholder in the cutlery 
wiirks in this city, and is an important f.actor in 
the industrial interests of the community. He is 
the center of a large circle of admiring friends and 
acquaintances, and in all respects is fulfilling the 
obligations of a good citizen. 



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••^t^>*-^»^ 



,OYAL B. qUINTON, a highly respected 
citizen of Denmark Township, is one of 
the most extensive farmers of Lee Count}-, 
and has met with remarkable success in 
the various departments of his calling. Our sub- 
ject is a native of the Buckeye State, having been 
born in Ashtabula County, on the 27th of August, 
1811). His father. Samuel (^uinton, came from the 
Ohl (ir.anite State in 1812, but three years later re- 
turned for the purpose of being united in marriage 
with .Miss Lucretia Henry. After the wedding, 
he immediately returueil to Ohio with his bride, 
and located upon a farm in Ashtabula County, 
where they remained until l.s."),"). and then crossing 
the Father of \\aters, came into Iowa and located 
in I.ic ( <«untv. Here they established a home, be- 



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,.3 
544 




LEE COUNTY. 



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came among the highly respected residents of this 
vicinity, and here they folded their han<1s for tlieir 
final rest. . The parental household included seven 
children, three of whom are now deceased. 

Roj-al E. Qiiinton was the eldest child of his 
parents' family. He remained with them until he 
attained his majority, and then, his capital consist- 
ing of an English sixpence (which he still retains), 
he departed from the parental roof to seek his 
fortune through the exercise of his ovvn Industry. 
In those days of thinly settled communities, it was 
bj' no means an easy task to secure a wage-paying- 
situation. The country was fidl of j'oung men 
who were willing to work for a consideration, and 
only a few inhabitants had use for or could afford 
to keep hired help. Young (.^uinton, however, was 
not easilj' discouraged, and finally succeeded in 
hiring out to a farmer sit $12 per month, and at the 
end of the year had his monthly stipend increased to 
$13. He remained with his first eniployer for some 
time after this, and then for two successive j-ears 
was employed by another party at the same wages. 
The latter was a dealer in live stock, and became 
greatly attached to his " hired man," aud took him 
witli iiiui when he made his purchases of cattle, and 
those experiences, no doubt, were an excellent 
schooling for our subject, who possessed great 
natural abilities and improved everj- (jpportunity 
for observation in the dealings of men with men. 
This, added to his natural talent for financiering, 
was the secret of his future^ success. 

As soon as young (^uinton had saved ^100, he 
loaned it out at 12 per cent interest in advance. 
He held a moderate sum iu reserve, with which he 
purchased a good saddle horse, and b}' subsequent 
trade accumulated a little more mone\'. He always 
dressed well, Init by ;i judicious disbursement of 
funds, at the end of four years found himself the 
possessor of $53.0 in cash. In common with many 
of his 3oung associates, he experienced a great de- 
sire to visit the country beyond the Mississippi, 
i" which was then holding out rare inducements to 
the young and enterprising emigrant, lie had a 





friend in this vicinitv who was engaged 



an In- 



dian trader along the I'latte River country, that 
being 300 miles west ut any while settlement, and 



he cduchided to join liiui 





He started \ia the river 



from Belleville, Ohio, but when he arrived at lli' 
mouth of the Missouri there were no boats run- 
ning, and the best he could do was to go to Keo- 
kuk. After arriving there, the few citizens will 
whom lie first became acquainted advised him I ■ 
abandon the Platte River project on account of tin 
Mormon outrages. While debating upon the best 
course to pursue, he received a letter informing 
him of the death of his friend, the trader. He 
therefore concluded to remain in Lee County, and 
soon made ."i purchase of 1 CO acres of land in Pleas- 
ant Ridge Township, for which he paid ^GOO in 
cash. Upon this he erected a house, and in August, 
11S4G, was married to Miss Sarah B. Hornby, a na- 
tive of Bremen, Me., and the daughter of John 
Hornby, one of the early pioneers of Lee Count}'. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Ouinton was thrown 
from a horse, and so severely injured that he was 
unable for a long time to pursue his farm labors. 
He accoidingly sold out for ^1,000, and after a 
few months of rest aud recuperation, purchased a 
farm in Franklin Township, selling it the following 
year for double the purchase price, besides dispos- 
ing of the growing crop, for which he' received a 
promissory note due in five years and drawing 10 
per cent interest. The parties who gave the note, 
however, were poor, and it was considered worth- 
less. In the meantime Mr. (^. made a visit to Ohio, 
and upon his return to the West, settled in Den- 
mark Township. The year before the m;iturit3' of 
the aforesaid note it was taken up. Mr. Q. receiv- 
ing live stock in payment, at the sale of which he 
received a handsome jirofit. He subsequeiith' pur- 
chased a farm of 2()l( acres iu Franklin Townsiiip, 
and in due time sold it for three times the pui- 
chase price. 

In 1852 Mr. (}. purchased eiglrty acres of his 
present homestead, to which he has subsequently 
added until he is now the possessor of X\b .acres, 
all in one body, although having presented to his 
son 185 acres. His land is finelj' improved and is 
equipped with hands(,)mc and substantial farm build- 
ings. Besides the culture of the cereals, he is ex- 
tensively engaged in stock farming, and exhibits 
some of the finest animals to be found along the 
Mississip|>i Nallev. 

The household of Mr. and Mrs. (^uintouhas lieen 




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brightened by the birth of five children, of whom 
the record is as follows : Herbert T. is located on 
a farm at Kingston, Kan.; Holland B. is engaged in 
agriculture in Denmark Township; Alfred B. is a 
lawyer in Topeka, Kan., and Probate Judge of the 
Circuit Court; Frank C. is a civil engineer in the 
employ of tiie A., T. & St. F. R. R. ; Eugene S. is a 
lawyer at Topeka; Nellie E. is the wife of Philander 
H. Adams, and also resides at Topeka. 

Mr. (^ninton, it is hardl3' necessary to say, is a 
leading citizen of Denmark Township, and has been 
prominent in all matters pertaining to the welfare 



on the track of the Boston (fe Worcester Railroad. 
Our subject then returned to his old home in 
Xew Hampshiie and, rejecting many flattering 
propositions held out to him as inducements to re- 
main in that vicinity, he determined to "Go West." 
He accordingly left the Old Granite State, in 
1836, and went as far ;is Buffalo, N. Y., with a horse 

I his "01 
sht4i- JLe 
bula, Ohio. Not being pleased with that section 
of country he went soutii into Athens County, 
where he located and remained two years, eniploy- 



and buggy. He then loaded his vehicle and 
faithful animal on a boat and proceeded to Asht 




of this vicinity. He is a striking example of what i ing mucii of his time in traveling about, and finally 



energy, indui,try and economy may accomplish, 
and the young man of to-day who feels discouraged 
under difflculties, may well profit by the example 
of the old pioneers who, amid dangers as well as 
difficulties, persevered against desperate odds and 
lived to tell the tale. 



jj^ILLlAM DAVIS, a prominent and highly 
respected citize;i .of 'Washington Town- 
ship, is a native of Canaan, Grafton Co., 
N. H., and was born Oct. 24, 1814. He was reared 
on a farm, and at the age of seventeen years left the 
parental roof and started out to do for himself, 
first going to Lebanon, a town adjoining liis birth- 
place, where he engaged as a farm laborer for a 
year. He spent the following winter at his fnther's, 
and in the spring engaged in milling for a short 
time, and then resumed agricidtural pursuits on a 
farm in Lebanon. He then returned home, where 
he remained for three years, and in the spring of 
183;? went to Boston, where he was employed un- 
loading schooners and other vessels at the wharf for 
about two months, after which he was employed by 
the Boston <k Worcester Railway Company, which 
is now known as the Boston & Albany Railroad. 
He was in Boston wheji < Jen. Jackson made his visit 
to that city, and when the old war vessel " Constitu- 
tion " was taken into the dry dock. He remained 
in the employ of this company for about three 
years, and assisted in putting the first car on a rail- 
road track in Massachusetts, said car being placed 



decided to crosss.the Mississippi. He came into 
Iowa, his first stopping-place being in Denmark, 
Lee County, where he engaged as a farm laborer 
with " Parson Turner " f<jr two years. 

In the meantime Mr. Davis had entered KJii acres 
of land in Washington Township, which was located 
on section 5, and not very long afterward wa.s 
united in marriage with iliss Hannah Hunston, a 
native of his own State. The young couple located 
upon the farm in ^Vashington Township about the 
1st of September, 1840. They had scai-celj' be- 
come settled in their new home when the 3'oung 
wife was taken ill with ;i malignant form of typhoid 
fever, and in just one month to a day from the 
time they were married, she closed her eyes forever 
t(^ the scenes of earth, her death taking place the 
same hour of the day in which the marriage cere- 
mony was performed, Oct. !), 1840. Aliout three 
weeks after the death of hi^ wife Mr. Davis re- 
turned to the old home in New Hampshire, and 
remained there until the following sjjring. He was 
then married to Miss Laura Huston, and at once 
retuiiied to Lee Count}' and Washington Town- 
ship, of which he has since been a resident. 

The homestead of Mr. Davis consists of oBd 
acres of valuable land, with a fine set of frame 
buildings. His dwelling is iiaudsomely finished 
and furnished, and his liarns and outhouses are ex- 
celled by none in Lee County. The estate in all 
respects is indicative of cultured t.astes and ample 
means, and forms one of the attractions in the land- 
sca]>c of Southeastern Iowa. 

.Mr. Davis has been promineully identified with 
the affairs of lliis vicinity since coming into J,ee 





County. He possesses great force of character, 
aml)ition and enterprise, and while tiirifty and ju- 
dicious in the management of his own business 
affairs, has also contributed of lii> time and means 
for the promotion of every enterprise calculated to 
l)eiie(it the community at large. He enjoj's, in a 
marked degree, the confidence and respect of the 
people of his locality. :ind has lichl the various 
offices of honor and trust. He lias been County 
.Supervisor for a term of five years, and was greatl}' 
instrumental in leducing the heavj' debt which 
hung over Lee County during the earlier period of 
its history. At this time he was intrusted with the 
niost delicate and important features of the case, 
•and carried out his obligations with the strictest 
lnmesty and integrity. 

.Mr. Davis li.as been quite a traveler, and since 
making the long jo\irne3^ from his native State to 
Iowa has coniplcted his tour of the continent b}' 



nil 

m 



n visits to California and Oregon, lie has been an 
extensive reader, and keenly observant of wliat 

was going on around him, has made the most of his 
ricli experiences in life. Upon coming here he was 
at once recognized as a man fitted to be a leader, 
whose wise and judicious counsels it would be safe 
to follow. lie has eminently fulfilled the trust im- 
posed in liim, and there is no man in tliis section of 
Iowa wIki is lield in higher respect. 

The parents of our subject, Ebenezer and Han- 
nah (Scales) Davis, spent their entire lives in (iraf- 
tou County. N. II., occupied in the peaceful piw- 
suits of agricuit.iu-e. The family circle included 
eight children, of whom the sul)ject of our sketch 
w.as the 3-oungest liorn, and is the only one living. 
They came from an old and excellent family whose 
names, throughout New England, were synony- 
mous wit;h honesty, integrity, and great iiobility of 
character. 

The parents of .Mrs. Davis wei'e .John and Zer- 
viah (Field) Huston, natives also of New Hamp- 
shire. John Huston w.as a fai-mer by occupation, 
and in about 1844 emigrated ^vc^st to Iowa with his 
family, settling in Denmark Township, Lee County, 
where the parents passed the last days of their 
lives. .Mrs. Davis was the second child of the 
family, whicli included three sons and four dautjh- 
ters. She was employed as a teacher in Lowell, 

1^ 




Mass., and after coming to Iowa taught one term of 

school in Washington Townshij). 

.Mr. Davis is independent in politics, and his re- 
ligion consists in l)eing just to his fellow-men, and 
in doing as he would be done by. He began life 
at the foot of the ladder, and has climbed up step 
by step, building for himself not only a character of 
high morality and .sound principles, but also meet- 
ing w^ith remarkable success in the acquirement of 
a competency for his later days, and now he and 
his amiable .and e.xcellent partner are reaping the 
reward of habits uf industry and goodly lives, and 
all who know them will heartily pra3' that their last 
days may lie their liest. 



5!-'5 



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KANCIS .M. MYEHS. of Ft. .Madison, who 
) is prominently engaged in the grocer3' trade 
in this citj', is a native of Green Ba}- Town- 
ship, born Dec. 13, 18,J0. His father, .Joseph JIj'- 
ers, was a |>it>neer of Ft. Madison, and is now liv- 
ing in this city retired from active business. He 
was born nine miles from Gettysburg, one of tlu^ 
famous battle-fields of the late war, in Fenns.vlva- 
nia, and his father, Francis H. Myers, was a native 
of New York, of (merman ancestry- and parentage, 
and a tanner and cuirier by trade. The latter re- 
moved from New Y'ork to Adams County', Pa., 
when a young man, and purchased a farm, ujion 
which he operated until 1818. He then removed 
to Fairfield County, Ohio, purchased another farm, 
and carried on the occupation of farming and tan- 
ning until his retirement from the .active labors of 
life. He was married in earl}' manhood to Miss 
Catherine .Staub, a native of I'eiuisylvania. She 
accompanied her husband to Ohio and died in Fair- 
field County. 'I'heir fan)ily included ten children, 
eight of whom grew to mature vears. 

.b>seph Myers, father of the subject of this sketch, 
was the fifth chihl of his parents' family. He re- 
mained at home receiving his primary education in 
the subscription schools, and later attended JMari- 
etta Institute, after which he took a course at Gran- 
ville Institute. He commenced teaching at the age 
of eighteen vears, and b^' this means earned money 
with which to pursue his studies. After gradiiat- 



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LEE COUNTY. 



ing at Gi'anville he continued his duties as an in- 
structor in Fairfield and Perry Counties, after which, 
in 1837, he took up the stiidj^ of medicine under 
the instruction of Dr. Brooks, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. 
The year following he took a course of lectures at 
Rush Medical College. Chicago, 111., and subse- 
quentl.y commenced the practice of his chosen pro- 
fession at Reading, Perry Co., Ohio. He practiced 
and taught school alternately until 1841, and then 
started for Ft. Madison, via the Ohi<^ and Missis- 
sippi Rivers. In March following he opened a 
drag-store, which he operated for a period of nine 
years, and then selling out, purchased a farm in 
Green Bay Township, and followed agricultural 
pui'suits for two years. He now couclnded to 
abandon farming, and returning to Ft. Jladison 
opened another drug-store, and continued this un- 
Ig til 187G. He then sold the business to his sons and 
retired from active labor. 

Joseph Myers was married on the 2d of August, 
1841, to Miss Louisa Hoffman, who was also horn 
in Adams County, Pa., followed the fortunes of 
her husband to the West, and died the j^ear follow- 
ing his retirement from business on the loth of 
July 1877. They were the parents of eight chil- 
dren, two of whom, Susannah and Joseph, died in 
infancj' ; Justus lives in Washington Township; 
Maselon M.. born April 21, 1847, died Nov. 21, 
1882; Francis, our subject, was the fifth child; 
Mary T. became the wife of Luther Walsworth, and 
lives in Austin, Tex. ; Alfred A. M., born May 7, 
1856, died Jan. 11, 1884; John C. B. was born 
Oct. 16, 1860, and lives in Ft. Madison. He is 
Democratic in politics, and a prominent man in his 
vicinity. 

Francis M. Mj^ers was but two years old when 
his parents located in Ft. Madison the second time, 
and he here grew to manhood and received his pri- 
mary education in the city schools. At quite an 
early age he began to clerk in his father's store, and 
gained an excellent insight into business matters. 
In 1876 he became associated in partnership with 
his brother, and they secured the father's business 
;S and operated it until the following year, when they 
1 5 sold out, and Francis M. went East on a visit, 
f spending three mouths. He then returned to Ft. 
Madison, remained until the following May, then 




retraced his steps eastward, and made a tour of 
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio, which occupied 
the greater part of liis time until JIarch, 1879, 
when he once more crossed the Father of Waters, 
and in company with his brother Maselon, again 
became engaged in the grocery trade until Novem- 
ber, 1882, when his brother Alfred succeeded Mase- 
lon, and our subject and this brother carried on 
the business until January, 1884, when Alfred My- 
ers died, and since that time Francis M. ha* eon- 
ducted the business alone. 

Mr. Myers is straightforward in his business 
transactions, and this, in coiniection with his cour- 
teous demeanor toward all with whom he deals, has 
secured for him .an extensive and prolitable trade. 
He is still a young man, with a bright future before 
him, and has the confidence and good wishes of a 
large circle of friends. He is connected with .St. 
Joseph's Catholic Church, and a valued member of 
the community, of whom good things are looked 
for in the future. 

^ ^^ ^ 




ORITZ TSCHOEPE, of Ft. Madison, en- 
gaged in general insurance, is conducting 
the various departments of his business 
with intelligence and success. He is a na- 
tive of the Kingdom of Poland, and the date of 
his birth was Oct. 13, 1841. His early j'ears were 
passed in the town of Muensterberg, with his par- 
ents, Anthony and Fredrica Tschoe|ie. The former 
was a leather merchant, and carried on an exten- 
sive and successful business until the outbreak of 
the Revolution in 1848. He then entered the Po- 
lish army, receiving a Captain's commission, and 
served during the war. When the Russians became 
victorious he escaped to the United States, a poor 
man, his property having been confiscated to the 
Russian Government, .\fter reaching this country 
he settled at West Bend, Wi.<., and engaged in 
farming, alone for six years, until in 1854, when he 
sent for his wife and daughter, and they joined 
him here. The mother departed this life in 1869. 
The parental family consisted of three children: 
Moritz, our subject; Robert, who remains in his 
native country ; aud Emelie, who, with her father, 



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550 



LEE COUNTY. 



resides in West Hcnd. The latter has arrived at 
the iidvanced age of eighty-six ^-ears. He was 
prosperous after settling in America, accuniulating 
a handsome property, and is now retired from act- 
ive labor. 

Morit/. Tschoepe received a good common-school 
education, which was supplemented liy an attend- 
ance of two terms at Normal Seminarj'. He after- 
ward learned the w.igon-maker's trade in his native 
Province. In l><Crl he received a pass from his 
[[:: |l father to emigrate to tlie I'liited States, and m1- 
V - l_j tiiouijh rather adverse to leaving his own country, 
M.^ acceded to liie wishes of his parents and joined 
them here. The following ye.ar, the late Civil War 
being in progress, he enlisted as a soldier of the 
L'nion, Itecoming a raeml)er of Co. C 24th Wis. 
\'ol. Inf., and was mustered into service at Milwau- 
kee on the lyth of August. He marched with his 
regiment to the seat of war and w.is engaged with 
his comrades in the various battles and skirmishes 
>( the campaign. He was taken prisoner at Stone 



1^3 I River the following December, and was exchanged 



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the .June following. He participated in the battles 
of Perryville. Cliiekamauga. Missionary liidge, and 
all the important engagements until after the siege 
of Atlanta when, at the engagement near Franklin, 
Nov. 30, 1864, he received a wound in tiie left arm. 
At various times during his connection with the 
army, his promotion was proposed, but as he could 
not speak English Hneiitly, he felt extremely diffi- 
dent, and declined many of the honors sought to 
be conferred upon him, only accepting the rank of 
Corporal. 

After he was mustered out of service, Mr. 
Tschoepe returned to his parents in Wisconsin, and 
after his wound had iicaled resumed liis trade of 
wagon-making. In .January, lijGU, he was married 
to Miss Margaret Baltes, of Milwaukee, the sister 
of one of his comrades. Mrs. Tschoepe was born 
on the 3d of February, 1848, and of hei- union with 
our subject has become the mother of eight chil- 
dren — Kddie, Lizzie, Willie, Ervlne, Sarah, Arthur 
and Hertha (twins), and Frances. 

Mr. and Mrs. T. came to Iowa about three 3-ears 
after their marriage, and located at Hurlington, 
where our subject worked at his trade until l,s7i, 
but was then obliged to abandon it on account of 



his crippled arm. He then established a German 
book-store, and the following year his partner ab- 
sconded with some of the funds. Mr. T. then sold 
out the business and engaged in insurance. In 
1879 he became district agent for Lee County, of 
the Burlington Insurance Company, and removed 
to Denmark, so as to be near the center of his field 
of operations. He soon developed rare talent for 
this branch of business, and as time progressed ex- 
tended his territory so that he is now the repre- 
sententative of ten comp.anies, anicmg them the 
most important of any in the I'nitcd States. Mr. 
T. located in Ft. Madison in 1880, and by his cor- 
rect business methods has become a highlj' esteemed 
and valued citizen. He owns and (iccu|)ies a hand- 
some hoine near the city limits. Politically he is 
Republican, and socially a prominent member of 
the a. A. R. 



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^1-^ 



■^OHN ML■^' AY, a carpenter and farmer of \'an 
Buren Township, is pleasantly situated on sec- 
tion 14, where he owns and occupies 120 acres 
of valuable land. Mr. Mc\'a3- is a native of 
Highland County, Ohio, and the date of his birth 
was March 19, 1822. At the age of twelve years 
his parents removed to Putnam County, Ind., 
where he remained until 1847, when he crossed the 
Mississippi and came into the 3'oung Hawkej'e 
.State, locating in Marion County, which remained 
his home for twenty years. In 1867 he remoxed 
to Lee County, where he has since remained. In 
Marion County Mr. Mc\'ay became the possessor 
of 160 acres of land, which he sold before coming 
here. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits 
the greater part of his life, but being a natural 
mechanic, has employed much of his spare time in 
carpenter work. 

The subject of this biography is the son of 
Jacob and Mary (Reece) McVay, natives of Penn- 
sylvania and Tennessee respectively. .IacobMc\'ay 
was born in 1790, and departed this life in 1879. in 
Indiana. Mrs. Mary Mc^'ay was born in 1795, 
and preceded her husband to the better land in 
1 863. Thej' were the parents of fifteen children, 
ail but one of whom lived to mature j'ears. Thej' 



LEE COUNTY. 



551 



i 



m 



i 



were named as follows: Madison. Edmund R., 
Elizabeth, Mary, -John, Harriet and Harvey (twins), 
I-)elilah, Alfred, Jacob, Rachel, Lydia ¥^. (who died 
at the age of three years), Sarah M., Catharina and 
William H. 

Aug. 25, 1844, our subject was united in marriage 
with Miss EIizal)eth Wain. She remained his com- 
[)anion for only ten years, her death occurring in 
1>1.")4. Of this union there were born three chil- 
dren — J.acob H., Adeline and Lydia E. Mr. McVaj' 
"as subsequently married to Mrs. Rebecca (Wain) 
Arnold, of Ohio, and the}' became the parents of 
the following children : Alice, who died at the age 
(.>f live years; Rancler S. ; Sarah, deceased ; Emma 
A., the wife of Frank Bodby, of Franklin Town- 
shij); Flora M., Ada, Edmund R., and Minnie, 
now Mrs. John Walter. 

Mr. Mc^'ay is highly respected in his community 
and has held the various township offices. He is 
Republican in politics and has an intelligent inter- 
est in local and general matters. He and his wife 
arc members in good standing of the ^Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and contribute liberally and 
cheerfuUj' to its support. He is at present Steward 
of the society, and has much influence in its coun- 
cils and deliberations. 

,Sh -HM-<Si)j( ^:^ ^^ -H>+ •«- 

ENRY R. MILLER, of Keokuk, is Presi- 
dent, Treasurer, Superintendent and (ieu- 
eral Manager of the Keokuk Gas- Light and 
Coke Company, with which he became con- 
nected in 1875, He is thoroughlj' skilled in all 
the details relating thereto, and his present respon- 
sible position is abundant evidence of his work and 
efticiency. Our subject is a native of Ohio, and 
was born in Springfield March 31, 183'J, His boy- 
hood was passed in his native city, where he had 
the advantages of a good education and received 
earl}- training in business matters. 

In 1868 Mr. Miller was united in marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Judge D. 
^Mooar, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Keokuk, 
and of this union there were born three children — 
Daniel, Bessie and Howard. Mr. and Mrs. M. are 
prominently connected with St. John's Episcopal 





Church, of which our subject has been Secretary 
of the ^'estry since 1875. Mr. M. is a prominent 
Mason, being the Worshipful Master of Hardin 
Lodge No. -29, A. F. & A. M.; High I'riest of Gate 
City Chapter No. 7, R. A. M., and Eminent Com- 
mander of Diimascus Commaudery No. 5. 

ENJAMIN FRANKLIN ANDERSON, de- 
ceased, one of the honored pioneers of Lee 
Count}', was a native of Montgomery 
County, Ky., his Inrth occurring April 9, 
1815, He remained in Ills native count}' only until 
the age of eighteen years, and then started out to 
seek his fortunes in the wide West, He crossed the 
Mississippi River to the present site of Keokuk, 
and starting from there on foot, walked up past the 
rapids and from there took a boat for Dubuque, 
He there engaged in mining and ship carpentering, 
at which he was occupied four or five years. He 
then removed to Farmington, Van Buren County, 
and was engaged in carpenter work until 1850, He 
then removed to Eddy ville and opened a store for 
the sale of dry-goods. The followuig year his 
goods were nearly destroyed by a flood, but he re- 
covered from this disaster as speedily as possible, 
purchased more stock, saved what he could of that 
which was damaged, .and continued his business un- 
til 1854, He then closed out and went to Oska- 
loosa, where he was again employed at his trade 
until 185G, after which he went to Montrose and 
remained for a time engaged at his trade. He then 
went down to St. Louis and engaged in the ship- 
yard there until the breaking out of the late Civil 
\Var. He was then also employed as a ship car- 
penter and general mechanic by the Government. 
He ttnally enlisted in the ranks and marched with 
the regiment into Vicksburg, and was continuously 
employed at his trade in the army until the close of 
the war. Thereafter he was engaged for five years 
as ship carpenter for Capt. Campbell on the Keith- 
burg packet, plying between Ft. Madison and Dav- 
enport. 

Mr, Anderson was married, March 18, 1849, to 
Miss Louisa Davis, a native of Cumberland, Md., 
born Oct. -2, 1826, She was the daughter of Isaiah 



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Davis, a native of Annapolis, Md.. .nnd her grnnd- 
father, William Jeremiah Davis, was a native of 
■' Merrie England," who emifjrated to America, first 
settling in Maryland, thence removing to Pennsyl- 
vania, and finally returning to the first-named State, 
where he departed this life at Cumberland. lie 
served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and 
for services therein rendered was awarded a jiension 
from the Government. Isaiah Davis, the father of 
Mrs. Anderson, removed from Maryland and to 
Ohio iu 1835, and located at Zancsville, where he 
remained for eleven years. He then crossed the 
Mississippi and came into Jefferson County, Iowa, 
where he remained three years, and then, in the fall 
of 1849, went to Kirk ville. Wapello County,where he 
spent the remainder of his days. He was married 
in early manUof)d to Miss Essa Kuntz. She was 
of German parentage, born in Pennsylvania, and 
departed this life in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1841. 

In 1868 Mr. Anderson removed his family to Ft. 
Madison, established a home here and remained 
until his death, which occurred on the 2d of De- 
cember, 1882. He was a prominent member and 
one of the organizers of Charleston Lodge, I. O. 0. 
F. He was interested iu several lodges, and was 
for a time Deputy District Master; he was also a 
member of Claypole Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Ft. Mad- 
ison. 

Mr. Anderson, from his youth, had received 
careful religious training from a deeply pious 
mother. This lady was one of the thirteen persons 
who organized the First Methodist Church of Iowa, 
llei- son faithfully followed in the footsteps of that 
honored mother, uniting with the church uf her 
choice in early manhood, and remaining a faithful 
adherent to its doctrines until his death. 

The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson 
included seven children, three of whom are now 
deceased. The living are as follows: Attia is the 
wife of H. J. Buck, and lives in Washington Town- 
ship; Roy is iu Minnesota; Fannie married Mr. 
W. B. Frederick, and Letitia is at home. The 
family are highly respected wherever known, and 
Mr. Anderson, as a man and a citizen, fulfilled all 
the obligations of life faithfully and conscientiouslj', 
and now that he rests from his labors, is held in 
kindly remembrance by all who knew him. 




DAM AVIEGNER, Postmaster of Donnell 
son. is a wealthy and retired farmer, en 
s joying the accumulations of early years of a^ 
industry and economy. Mr. W. came to : 
Lee County in May, 183H. from Buffalo, N. Y., of f 
which place he had been a resident for six years. 
He located in Ft. Madison, and has been a resident 
"f Lee County since that time. 

The subject of this biography is a native of 
Worms, German}', and was born Nov. 29, 1820, 
His father, Jacol) Weigner, was a highly' respected 
farmer, and a native of the same place as his son, ; 
where he was reared, and married to Miss Catharine « 
S. Koch, a native of the same place. After the ; 
birth of six children, of whom our subject was the g 
eldest, the family all came to the United .States, § 
landing at Buffalo, N. Y., in the fall of 1832. The g 
voyage consumed thirty-three days. The mother g 
only survived about five years after coming to this Si; 
countrj', dying in 1837. After this sad event, Ja- 
cob Weigner, with his six motherless children 
started for the West. They crossed the Mississippi 
and located in Ft. Madison for a short time, re- 
moving thence to Franldin Township, where the fa- 
ther took up a tract of land and industriously en- ; 
gaged in its improvement and cultivation. Thej' | 
remained there for a number of 3-ears, and after- : 
ward went to Clarke County, where the father de- : 
parted this life at the home of his eldest daughter, : 
Mrs. Catharine Blum, in May, 1884, when nearly 
ninety-one j'ears old. He was a stanch Democrat gt 
in politics, and religiouslj- was a consistent member 
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

At the age of nineteen years Adam Wiegner left : 
the parental roof and engaged in the employ of gjlj} 
Mr. Chapman, a. farmer of Franklin Township. He 
invested his first earnings in a colt, and his next 



venture was to take unto himself a wife. After _ 
their marriage they went onto the farm of his fa- c 
ther, where the bride was installed as house- ^ 
keeper. There were three sons in the family at |^ 
this time, between whom the profits were divided. ^ 
At the end of three years" hard work, Mr. \Vieg- : 
ner, in casting up his assets discovered a net profit : j 
of $25. Money was scarce, and the most of their : 
produce was disposed of iu exchange for something 
besides money. 



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At the expiration of three years the 3'ouiig couple 
removed to Ft. Madisou and set up housekeeping 
for themselves. Their kitchen outfit consisted of a 
skillet, tea-kettle, ooffee-])ot, and a few plates, knives 
and spoons, and Mi-. AV. manufactured the furni- 
ture out of split timber. Of this he made a bench 
for his table, which was supported b^- poles inserted 
in the logs of their cabin. The bedstead consisted 
of one post set at a proper distance from the wall, 
near one corner of the room, a side and end of the 
house forming the balance of the bedstead. Their 
corn was ground by hand, being grated on a [jiece 
of tin punched full of holes and nailed onto a 
hoard, and somtimes ground by a horse-mill ; the 
corn-cake of that period, Mr. W. says, has never 
been excelled. The corn-cake of that pioneer day 
was made of meal, water and salt, and baked in a 
skillet, upon the coals of the large fireplace. It 
seemed rather tough living for the former New 
Yorker, but it was all that the young couple had in 
the way of bread for the following three j'ears. 
Amid these and other difficulties they labored in- 
dustriouslj' and pulled together, and in due tmie 
found themselves possessed of a comfortable home. 
As time progressed Mr. Wiegner became a man of 
property and a citizen whose influence was sensibly 
felt in his comnuinity. In 1855 he built a large 
stone mill at Franklin Village, which was then the 
IE largest building of the kind in the county, and is 
E still standing, in a good state of preservation, al- 
though not running. 

Mr. Wiegner has been twice married. On July 
4, 1840, he was wedded to Miss Catharine Coch, a 
native of Bavaria, who was born in 1817. She 
came to the United States with her parents when a 
young ladj' twenty -two years old. Her father, Ja- 
cob Coch, was a farmer by occupation, and upon 
coming to America at once proceeded westward to 
Iowa, locating in Franklin Township, where he 
resided until his death. The maiden name of his 
wife was Catharine Hummel. She accompanied 
her husband in all his wanderings, and also died 
in Franklin Township. Mrs. Catherine Weigner, 
after remaining the companion of her husband 
for nineteen years, depai'ted this life in February, 
1879. in the last named township. She had beconjc 
the mothei- i>f eight childien. six of whom died 



i nnTim-»TTi ■T TT'ri ri''"«T ] 



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young. They were named as follows: Jacob, 
Peter, Charlie, Ada, Catharine and Mary. The 
living are Philij) and Elizabeth, wlio are botli mar- 
ried. 

The second wife of Mr. Weigner, to whom he 
was married in Clark County, Mo., in 1880, was 
Mrs. Agnes (Gebauer) Meissner, a native of his 
own country, born on the 6th of February, 1842. 
She was married first in Prussia to Frank Meissner, 
with whom she came to the United States in 1873. 
They settled in Oshkosh, Wis., and theuce went to 
Clark County, Mo., where Mr. M. died July 8, 
1.S80. Of this union there were born three chil- 
dren, one of whom died before the death of its fa- 
ther. Those living are: Hedwig, who is unmarried 
and occupies the position of Assistant Postmaster 
for her stepfathei-; the 3'ounger child, Paul, is at 
home. 

Mr. Wiegner settled in Donnellson in the winter 
of 1881. His farm consists of 320 acres, and he 
has two acres of valuable land in the village limits. 
He is highly respected as a citizen, has filled the 
various offices of his township, and been intimatelj- 
identified with its interests since first coming here 
He has given his influence to the support of every 
good object, and in aU respects has been a man 
among men. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, 
and religiously is prominently connected with the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church, which also embraces 
the several members of his family. 

K. E. E. FULLER, a well-known and high- 
y esteemed resident of Keokuk, Iowa, is 
>aged in the drug business at No. 600 
Main street, and is equii)|)cd with every- 
thing necessary for the successful prosecution of 
this line of trade. Every department is conduct- 
ed in a methodical and business-like manner, and 
the establishment is one of liie most popular of its 
kind in the (^ate City. 

Dr. Fuller of this history is a native of .Massa- 
chusetts, born in 1.S22, and the son of Dr. James 
M. anil Lucy (Stimpsou) Fuller, natives of New 
ILimpshire and Massacliusetts respectively. The 
father of our subject compU-ti-cl liis medica 




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under the instruction f)f Dr. Mussy, of Dartinoutii, 
N. II., and continued tlic practice of his profession 
until he was seventy-nine years of age. In tlie 
meantime he had cr(»ssed the Mississippi, and iu his 
later days made his lionic in Keokuk, where he 
died at the residence of liis son, (4eorgo S., in 18G!(. 
His wife had preceded him to the better land 
twenty years before, her death occurring in Harri- 
son, Ohio, in 1841). They had a family of six chil- 
dren, of whom five are still living. 

The subject of this biography was the second 
child of the family, and lived with bis parents and 
attended school until iu- was fifteen years (jf age. 
He was a studious boy, ambitious to excel, and at 
this earlj' age had become competent to [lerform 
the duties of a teacher, in which he engaged, also 
commencing the study nf medicine, and for six 
j^ears received the excellent instruction of his father, 
and with him commenced the practice of medicine, 
and continued thus engaged for six years. He then 
became interested in the drug business at Harrison, 
Ohio, where he was thus occupied until 1850, when 
he sold out, came to Keokuk, and associated him- 
self with Dr. T. Smith, of Cincinnati, carrying on 
the drug business in company with this gentleman 
until the fall of 1857. Four j'ears later, after the 
breaking out of the war, a company was formed of 
the best citizens of Keokuk, named the City liifie 
Company, in which company he drilled under 
Gen. Belknap, and in l.sdl proceeded to the scene 
of conflict, in the service of the United States. 
When the conflict took place at Athens, Mo., the 
company volunteered its services, and assisted in 
driving back the rebels. Drs. Fuller and McCiugin 
were called to attend the wounded soldiers on the 
field. Soon afterward our subject was tendered a 
commission as Assistant Surgeon, and continued in 
this capacity while in the military service. He re- 
turned to Keokuk in 18G3, on account of failing 
health, but soon afterward resume I his duties as 
surgeon at the Estis House, which had been con- 
verted into a hospital. He was afterward assigned 
to the Medical College of Keokuk, still holding a 
ward in the Estis House until the close of the war. 
At the expiration of this time he engaged in gen- 
eral practice for a short time, and then retired and 
devoted his whole attention to his drug business. 



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The Doctor is Republican in politics, and is act- 
ively identified with everj- project tending to tlic 
welfare of his community. He has served on tln' 
School Hoard for four years, and socially is a meui- 
lier of the Masonic fraternity. He lias been intii - 
ested largelv in cit}' property and lanils in Io\v:i. 
and has liecn of material aid in the <levelopniciit 
of the industrial interests of this section. 

The marriage of Dr. Fuller and Miss Cecilia 
(ierard was celebrated in 1H49. Mrs. F. isanati\i' 
of Ohio, and by her union with our subject has ln'- 
come the mother of five children, the record ol 
whom is as follows: Charles M. is associated wiih 
his fallier in the drug business; David (i., of Chi- 
cago, is engaged in the wlKjIesale giocery trade 
with the firm (jf William M. Iloyt Ac Co.; Frank 
M. is attending Parsons' College at Fairfield, low.i ; 
Gertrude and I^ouisa are at home. The Doctor, 
also his wife, and daughter (Jertrude, are members 
of the Presbyterian Church; Louisa is connected 
with the Episcopalians. The family residence is 
pleasantly located on Twelfth and Bloudeau, and is 
the resort of the cultured and educated people of 
this vicinity. 



|Tp]yjEN.TAMIN F. (ilBBS. a highly resp(>cted 
i^^sL farmer of CJreen Kay Township, who owns 
|/M)1I! and occupies a fine homestead on .section 
^^^y 19, is conducting his agricultural operations 
with intelligence and success, and enjoys the confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Gibbs 
is a native of Indianapolis, Ind.,and was born Nov. 
18, 1823. His parents were George W. and Keziah 
(McFall) Gibbs, natives respectivel}' of Ohio and 
Virginia. They lived in Ohio for a few years after 
their marriage, and thence removed to Indianapo- 
lis, which was their home for eight years, and dur- 
ing which time George Gibbs was engaged in haul- 
ing goods from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Indianapolis, 
before the construction of raih'oads between those 
points. His father, Justus Gibbs, was a soldier in 
the War of 1812. He built the first frame house in 
the city of Cincinnati. 

(ieorge Gibbs afterward returned to Ohio, where 
he lived about four years, and then coming back to 
Indiana purchased a farm iu Scott Count}', which 






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LEE COUNTY. 



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he occupied six years, and tlien lost all his prop- 
erty by going securit}' for friends. He then uocu- 
pied a rented farm for eighteen months, and in the 
fall of i^i'2 came to Jefferson County, Ii>wa, where 
he also occu])ie<l a rented faim forahuut live years. 
AVnth his family he then niove<l to Wapello County, 
where he liought a farm which he af teiward sold to 
remove into Wa3'iie County, and there purchased a 
homestead upon which lie lived the remainder of 
daj's. His death took place March 20, 1874. His 
wife, the mother of our subject, had died in Jeffer- 
son County, Iowa, Dec. 7, 184;i. The parental 
h()useh<ild included five sons and tour daughters. 

Beujauiin F. (iibbs was the second child of his 
parents, and remained with them until he was over 
twenty-two years of age, coming with them to 
Iowa. At this time he left the parental roi.f to 
commence business on his own account, and while 
cultivating a piece of land in Van Buren County 
was also emijloyed at other farm labor for which 
he received wages. In about 1848 he came into 
Lee Countj', and for several years was emploj'ed 
on farms b}' the month, some of the time working 
for the mere pittance of fifty cents a da3'. He then 
rented the farm which he afterward i)urchased and 
still owns, and remained as a tenant for two years, 
when he was enabled to call it his own. 

Mr. Gibbs, it will thus be seen, is a striking illus- 
tration of what perseverance and industry may ac- 
complish. He commenced at the foot of the lad- 
der, and without any possessions save that of his 
own resolution and economy, he has risen to be one 
of the first landed proprietors of this section, and 
is now the owner of .'><)() valuable acres, all in 
(Treen Bay Township. He has erected two sub- 
stantial farm-houses, has excellent barns and other 
outbuildings, valuable farm machiner3- and imple- 
ments, and all the appliances for the prosecution of 
agricultui-e and the raising of stock. The homestead 
presents one of the finest locations in Lee County, 
and invariably attracts the attention of the 
passer-by. 

Mr. Gibbs was married in Van Buren County, 
Iowa, Oct. 21, 185U, to Miss Eliza, daughter of 
George and Hannah (Putnam) Claypoole, natives 
respectively of Virginia and New York. After their 
marriage they went to Knox County, Ind., where 



they lived for a time, then removed to Wabash 
County. 111., and in 1839, crossed the Father of 
■\\'aters and located in Lee County, and settled on j 
the same farm where they passed the remainder of 
their lives. The mother died Dec. Hi, 1850; herr^ 
husband survived her sixteen years, and died Oct ''* 





16, 18GG. They were the parents of four sons and 
four daughters, of whom Mrs. Gibli.>, of our sketch, 
was the youngest child. .She was born in Wabash 
County, Ill.,Sei)t. lU, 1 s-J8, and remained witli her 
parents until her marriage with our subject, receiv- 
ing careful home training and a fair education in the 
public schools. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have become the parents of ]p 
five children, of whom the record is as follows: 
Adeline is the wife of Francis Drake, of Linn 
County, Mo. ; Warren married Caroline Kamerer; 
after her death he married Kmma Garns; George, 
Anna and Charles are at home with their parents. 
Mr. Gilibs has always taken an active interest in 
the welfare of his community, and has held the 
minor offices of the township. In politics he is Re- 
publican, and uniformly casts his vote in support 
of the principles of that party. 



^^iEORGE D. RAND, one of the mo,-t promi- 
III (- — nent and prosperous citizens of Keokuk, 
^^jj and a member of the firm of Carson tk 
Rand, is extensively engaged in the liunber busi- 
ness, their principal ollice being located on Rail- 
road street. The subject of our sketch comes from 
a family well and favorably known in this locality 
as being important factors in the industrial inter- 
ests in this part of the West. They are straight- 
forward business men of more than ordinary good 
judgment, and in the various branches of busi- 
ness which they represent are uniformly successful 
and popular. 

The subject of our sketch is a native of (^uiucy, 
111., born Feb. 1), IM'J. and the son of E. D. and 
Sarah (Proud) Rand, natives of Massachusetts and 
Ohio respectively. K. 1). Rand, the father of our 
subject, has been engaged in the lumber business 
for forty years at Burlington. Iowa, and manufact- 
ured lumber in Wisconsin for thirty -five years. He 



IsMe 





is still engaged in the same business, a hale and 
hearty old gentleman, and is President of the Car- 
son-Rand Lumber Company, also the Rand Lum- 
ber Company of Burlington, and the Keithsburg <k 
Illinois Lumber Company. Of his familj- of six 
children, two by his first wife are living: (ieorge 

J- D., our subject, and Mary, who married John M. 
Shurfey, Mce President of the Rand Lumber Com- 
pany of liurlingtou. \\\ liis second wife there 
were horn four chlldreu, viz., E. I).. Jr. ;C. W.. 
of the firm of Wyman k Rand, of Burlington, 
dealers in furniture and carpets; and 11. S., of the 
Burlington Lumber Comp.Tuy; the youngest wa.s a 
daughter, Miss Carrie. 

E. D. Rand, all his lifetime, has been i)rominent 
wherever he has made his home and uniforml}- rec- 
ognized as one fitted for a le.ader. He has repre- 
sented his county in the k)wa J^egislature, was Presi- 
dent of the State B.ank of Burlington for many 
years, and is still one of its Directors ; he is also a Di- 
rector of the Continental National Bank of Chicago, 
and holds the .same position in connection with the 
C, B. <fe Q. R. R. Co. He has also been President 
of the Rock Island Insurance Company of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley, and is largely' interested in the pine 
lands of Wisconsin, and in various sawmills in that 
section and at Burlington. It will thus be seen 
that the father of our subject has aided materially 
in the industrial interests of this section of countr}-. 
His enterprise and industry have rewarded him with 
capital, which he has disseminated throughout this 
the develo[)uient of business interests and 
the giving of employment to those who have thus 
been induced to make a residence in this locality, 
and form meml)ers of a populous and thriving com- 
munity. The more people, the mow necessity for 
manufactures and produce, and thus, .as a wheel 
within a wheel, one man with energy and enterprise 
jjmay beconpe almost unlimited in usefulness. 

George D. Rand remained umler the i)arental roof 
I until about eighteen years of age, receiving his pri- 
mary education ill the publi:- schools, and complet- 
ing his studies in the Asbury University of Oreen- 
castle. Ind. Then, witli the energy and ambition 
of a wide-awake young man desiring to see some- 
thing of the world, he emigiated West, and enter- 
ing the mines of Colorado, ilelved in tlie earth for 



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lyLW section in 



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the shining ore until the year I K62. While in that 
State he became the owner of a (piartz mill, in the 
operation of which he employed about tiiirty men. 
At the outbreak of the late war he l;iid aside his 
persona! plans and interests, and enter<Ml tiie unvy. 
where he served as Paymaster, and was thus occu- 
pied for the following three years. He then re- 
signed this position and went South to Alabama, 
Iftcating in (ilend.ale, where he engaged in tiie 
manufacture of lumber. There he erected two saw- 
mills with a capacity of 75,000 feet per day, and 
gave employment to 1(10 men. He was thus en- 
gaged until 18S(), when he disposed of his interests 
in .\labama, and coming to Keokuk became as.soci- 
ated with his present partners in the lumber busi- 
ness. The firm have built up an extensive trade, 
and have attained to great popularity as gentlemen 
of energy, integrity, and strictly honoralile trnns- 
actions. 

Mr. Rand, like his father, is a man of much in- 
Huence in his community, and h.as filled many im- 
portant positions in the management of its affairs. 
He was Maj'or of the city in 1883, is a stockholder 
and Director in the Keokuk National Bank, and 
also a Director in the Water Works. He became a 
large property holder in the (late City, being the 
owner of ten houses and lots \vithin the corpora- 
tion. 

George 1). Rand was united in marriage with 
Miss Sarah M. McGaughej', of Indiana, in 1862. 
They occupy a handsome residence at No. 1069 
Bank street, between Tenth and Eleventh. Mr. R. 
is a stanch Republican, and uniformly casts his 
vote in support of the principles of that party. 



\f/OHN WILSON is an honored pioneer of 
Lee Comity, and largely engaged in the 
lumlier l>usiness at Ft. Ma<lison. He located 
(^^|a/ here in Ls;}."). and has been an interested 
witness of the remarkable changes wliicli have been 
wrought in tlie .State since that time. Mr. Wilson 
has materially aided in the industrial interests of 
this .section, and from the first has been un.selfishly 
identified witli llie progress and advancement of 
his ailopted .State. As a member of the little liand 




»TriryTi f. X »_L1 1 ■ • 




of pioneers in this vicinity, whose number is grarl- 
ually becoming less, he is regarded with that pe- 
culiar veneration and respect which are tacitly 
accorded to those brave spirits wiio planted their 
homes almost in the wilderness, and marked out a 
tract for future civilization. 



Pa.. .March 20, 18-20. her parents also being natives ' 
of the Keystone State. Immediately after his mar- | 
riage, accompanied by his bride, Mr. Wilson re- ' 
turned to Iowa, and settled on the farm near Ft. 
Madison. The following year he removed intoC 



town, where he has since resided. He followed thet 
Mr. Wilson is a native of Penn.sylvauia, born in occupation of farming and speculating for nine 1 



Lycoming County, Jan. 14, 1S14. His parents, 
Martin and Mary (Lambert) Wilson, were natives 
of England, of old and highly respected families, 
and came to the United States before their marriage, 
locating in Pennsylvania, where they were among 
the early settlers. Thej' became the jjarents of ten 
children, of whom the subject of our sketch is the 
youngest but one. When he was but three years old 
he was deprived of a father's protection by death. 
His mother subsequently married, and he remained 
at home until he was sixteen j-ears of age. 

John Wilson now started out to do for himself, and 
served an apprenticeship of three 3'ears to the harness 
and saddlery trade. He then worked as a journeyman 
until 1 834, when, like man}' of the j'oung men in 
that vicinitj', he determined to seek the great West. 
He journeyed as far as Rushville, 111., where he 
stopped for about one year, working at his trade, 
and then set out again, crossed the Father of 
Abaters, and set his feet upon the soil of Iowa. He 
was pleased with the face of the country and the 
prospects of rapid and successful settlement, and 
made two claims of land, one in Jefferson County, 
near Skunk River, on which he built a cabin, and 
for some time occupied his time .alteruatelj' in im- 
proving his claim and working at his trade across 
the river in Illinois. He finally traded both of his 
claims for some horses and cattle, and entered upon 
a new field of business. This was the beginning of 
speculation which he continued for many years. He 
pursued an honorable and upright course in his 
business transactions, becoming a favorite among 
his neighbors and acquaintances in that section, 
and Wilson's Prairie was named in his honor. 

After remaining in the West several j'ears, in 
1840, Mr. Wilson, feeling a strong desire to revisit 
the scenes of his youth, returned to his native 
State, and while there, at Salona, was united in 
marriage with Miss Sarah J., daughter of George 
and Jane Leidy. .She was born in Center County, 



years thereafter, and then crossed the plains to 
California. In those days it required 100 days to 
make the journey, and travelers were ol)liged to 
sleep in the open air. After this tedious experience 
he entered the mines of the Golden .State, but a 
few months' experience there satisfied him, and he 
returned home, via the Isthmus, and joyfully greeted 
his famil\- after an absence of one year. There was 
but little money in circulation at this time, and .Mr. 
Wilson again entered the field of speculation. He 
first traded land for cattle, exchanged the cattle for 
lu;nber, and then traded the himlier for more cattle. 
He continued thus operating until the outbreak of 
the Rebellion, and then shipped live stock to the 
Union Army. 

Mr. Wilson has been engaged in the lumber 
business since 18.52, and has met with success. He 
is now the possessor of several hundred acres of 
land. 200 being in \'an Buren County, and also 
owns a small farm in Illinois, besides considerable 
property within the city limits of Ft. Madison. In 
politics he has usually voted the Republican ticket, 
but beyond casting his vote he has little to do with 
the exciting political questions of the day. He is 
largely independent in views, and endeavors to vote 
for the best man, often without regard to party. 
His religious views are in accordance with the 
doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 
practice his aim is to strictly follow the precepts of 
the Golden Rule and do unto men as he would have 
them do unto him. 

The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson in- 
cludes eight children, six of whom have attained 
their majority. The record is as follows: Des 
Moines L. enlisted in Vo. D, 7th Iowa Vol. Inf., 
and served three years. At the battle of Shiloh he 
was wi.unded by a piece of shell, taken prisoner 
and retained as such for seven months. He was 
finally exchauged, received an honorable discharge, 
returned home, and is now engaged in agricultural 





558 



LEE COUNTY. 




M 



pursuits in Vau Buren Count}-. Sophia J. became 
the wife of C. E. ():itnian, and resides at Stockton, 
Ivan.; Mary Hello ni.'irried Fred Smith, and departed 
this life at the age of tnenty-seven ye.irs: Sii-rra 
Nevada l)ecanie the wife of Samuel Doyle, ami died 
in IK80; Willinm T. resides at Ft. Madison, and 
Adel is Ihu wife of E. O. Armstrong, whose home 
is in CouRcil Bluffs. The Wilson family are well 
known and higldy respected throughout this sec- 
tion of the country. The younger members have 
been carefully trained and well educated, and bid 
fair to follow in the footsteps of their honored 
parents. 

-^ €-*^ — ^- 



ATllICK Bl'UKE, a prosperous farmer of 
■ Lee County, occupying a comfortable 
homestead on section 25, \'an Buren 
Township, is a native of Ireland, born in 
County Mayo in 1881. He was a young man more 
than ordinarily bright and ambitious, and in early 
youth, being dissatisfied with his condition and 
prospects in his native country, resolved to emi- 
grate to America, and at the age of twenty years 
set sail from Liverpool, and after a prosperous 
voj'age landed at New Orleans, whence he went 
directly to t)hio. He there became an .assistant 
on a farm, changing from his first location in that 
State to Warren County, where he remained until 
the fall of 1850. He then resolved to see the 
country beyond the Mississippi, and crossing the 
Father of Waters, came into Iowa and located in 
Lee County, where he cultivated rented land for 
the space of eight years. In the meantime he had 
labored diligently, saved his money, and purchased 
a tract of land. He was prospered in his under- 
taking, and added to his first purchase until he is 
now the possessor of 240 acres, and is quite exten- 
sively engaged in the breeding of flue stock. 

The miii-riage of Patrick Burke and Miss Bridget 
McDonell took place March 28, 18.')3. Mrs. Burke 
is a native of the same country as hei- husband, and 
was born in 1831. She came to America the same 
year of her husband's emigration, and located in 
Warren County, Ohio, with her parents. The 
latter were James and Bridget (Mowry) McDonell, 
and they departed this life forty years ago. Their 



household included seven children — Dominick, 
Mary, Margaret. Anthony. Owen, Job. an<l Bridget 
(Mrs. Burke.) 

The p.arents of our subject were N'alentine and 
Sarah (Duffy) Burke. The father departed this gtt] 
life in 1S4I1, in Ireland, and the mother in 1870. in 
Ohio. They weic the iiarents of six children — 
Eulick, David, M.ary M., Ann, I'atrick and Peter. 
After tiie death of her husband Mrs. Burke was a 
second time uiarrieil, to Mr. Welsh, by whom she 
became the mother uf two children — .lohn aud 
Margaret. Mr. and .Mrs. Patrick Burke have be- 
come the parents of seven children, of whom the 
record is as follows: Marj' became the wife of D. 
Ford; Sarah is the wife of T. Hayes; \'alentine 
married Miss Margaret Hayes: Ann, James. Bridget 
:uid Margaret are unmarried. 

Politically Mr. Burke is an uncompromising Dem- 
ocr.at. Heligiously he is connected bj' member- 
ship with the Catholic Church of String Prairie. 
He has held the office of R<iad Supervisor, and in 
every rcsjiect is worthily fulfilling the obligations 
of a good citizen. 



OHN SCOTT, a [>rominent and successful 
farmer of \'an Buren Township, is pleasantly 
located on section 1 1 , and in the pursuit of 
his vocation is meeting with success. He 
comes of good old Pennsylvania parentage, and was gj; 
born April 25, 1820. His parents were Henry and 
Rachel (Milleson) Scott. His father was born 
Jan. 2'.i, 17i»5, and departed this life Nov. 4, 1850, 
in Lee County, Iowa. The date of the mother's 
birth was Feb. 10, 1799, and her decease occurred 
in Missouri twenty-three years after that of her 
husband, June 2, 1873. They had become the 
parents of nine children, of whom the record is as 
follows : Abigail became the wife of Joseph Price, 
and is living in Nodaway County, Mo.; John mar- 
ried ;Miss Sarah J. May; Cynthia, Mrs. J. Price, 
died in 1845; James M. married Miss Margaret 
Finley;Mary A. became the wife of J. N. Jones; 
Sarah married Eli Elrod, and is now deceased ; 
Melissa became the wife of H. Hampton, and is | 
now deceased : Minerva J. married William McCord, 







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hHHpr'rl (Sr'r'r'r'Kt 




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LEE COUNTY. 



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he rlied, and she innrried Mr. Bailes of Nodnwaj- 
County, Mo. ; Tlieodure J. was married to Miss 
Amanda Kueff, .and lives in Nodaway Countj', Mo. 
.Tohn Scott was reared on his father's farm, and 
attended the common schools until the age of four- 
teen years, when the family moved to Indiana, 
making their first location in Franklin County, where 
they remained for about eleven years. lu April, 
1 844, the}' decided to go further West, and crossed 
the Mississippi, coming into Lee County, where 
they located and have since remained. Our sub- 
ject came into possession of his present farm in 
18G4, and has made many improvements since he 
first occujiied it. He has a fine brick dwelling- 
house, good barns, and all the appliances for con- 
ducting agriculture in a first-class manner. 

The marriage of John Scott and Miss Sarah J. 
May was celebrated Jan. 14, 1864. Mrs. Scott was 
born July 24, 183.3, in Edgar County, 111. Her 
pai'ents were Isaac and Elizabeth (Seers) May, 
natives of North Carolina and Lincoln County, 
Ky.. respectively. Isaac May was born in 1802, 
and departed this life .Tan. 1.5, 18.50. Mrs. Eliza- 
beth May was born in 180!), and died Nov. 17, 
1886. Their household consisted of eight children, 
the record of whom is as follows : Eliza, the eld- 
est daughter, became the wife of R. Sanders; Cath- 
erine was married to .John Snodderly ; David mar- 
ried Miss Mary Snodderly ; Sarah J. is the wife of 
our subject; William married Miss Ann Sanders; 
Isaac N. married Miss Lidia Moore, who is now 
deceased; Jacob, now deceased, married Miss 
Rhoda Pickard; Mary became the wife of William 

1 Helms. 

I Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been 
born two children, a son and daughter, John M., 
born Oct. 28, 1805, and Ada A., July 28, 1867. 
Mr. Scott is the possessor of 160 acres of finely cul- 
tivated land. He is an intelligent and well-in- 
formed gentleman, and has held the office of Justice 
of the Peace for three j-ears. He has also tilled 
other prominent positions in the affairs of his town- 
ship, and has been Constable and Trustee. He is a 
member in good standing of the A. F. cfe A. M., 
and his record in this order dates back over thirty 
years, and he now belongs to Mt. Maria Lodge No. 
27, at Farmiugton, Iowa. He has been connected 



in niembership with the Baptist Church for over 
twenty years, and has occupied the oHice of Deacon 
for over thirteen years. In politics he is a stanch 
Republican, and as a friend, neighbor and citizen 
is held in the highest esteem. 



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■<-v 



APT. WILLIAM S. MOORE, residing at 
Keokuk, is oue of the old steamboat Captains 
'ho plied the Mississippi, Ohio and Illinois 
Rivers for many years, and who probablj' has a 
larger circle of friends and acquaintances than any 
other citizen of Keokuk. Capt. Moore was born 
in the city of New York, Nov. 28, 1815. In 1816 
his parents removed to St. Louis, Mo., where the 
Captain passed his boyhood days. His parents 
were Rufus and Clarissa (.Stone) Moore, and the 
father died on his way from New York to St. Louis. 
After his death the mother and son continued on 
their journej' to St. Louis, and made that their 
home for about five years. They then crossed the 
river into the State of Illinois and lived there for 
five years. Their next removal was to Cincinnati, 
Ohio. The Captain recollects that, though a lad of 
only ten years, while living in Cincinnati Gen. 
LaFayette visited that citj", and he had the pleasure 
of looking upon his pleasant and manly French 
countenance. 

From Cincinnati the mother and son removed to 
Pittsburgh, and when our sul)ject was but twelve 
years old he was orphaned by the death of his be- 
loved mother. He went to Gallipolis, where he 
hired to learn the tinner's trade with one Hiram 
Fisher. Having served an apprenticeship of five 
years, and thoroughly mastered his trade, he started 
out as a "jour," and we next take note of him at 
Springfield, 111. There he worked at his trade for 
a time, when he procured a berth on a steamboat. 
While a resident of the State he claims to have run 
the first locomotive that was ever brought into it, 
running from Springfield to Meredosia. From 
Springfield our subject again returned to St. Louis, 
Mo., and embarked in the tin and stove business, and 
was thus occupied at that place until he was burned 
out in 1 848, involving a loss of about ^8,000. 

After his reverses our subject engaged in steam- 








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boating on the Mississippi, Oliio and Missouri 
Rivers, and continued to follow this vocation for 
about five years. Al)andoning the river, he, in 
1855, at first did business for Briggs, Beach & Co., 
dealers in tin and stoves in Keokuk. He worked 
for them awhile, and then bought out a remnant of 
a stock of goods and engaged in business for him- 
self. He began manufacturing on a small scale, 
working at the bench himself, and as his business 
increased he enlarged his stock. He manufactured 
all kinds of tinware and copi)ei- work, shipping his 
goods throughout Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, 
and several other States. Mr. Moore is an ever^'-day 
man, and the secret of his success in business is 
that he oversees it in person. He is active and 
hearty and there is i)lenty of energy and fire in him 
yet. 

In 1837 our subject was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth Johnston, of Springfield, 111. She was born 
in Ohio, and by her union with our subject has be- 
come the mother of four children, three sons and 
one daughter — Edward D., Dallas G., Livingston 
and Flora E ; the latter is the wife of F. W. King- 
man, book-keeper and treasurer of the Iowa Iron 
Works at Dubuque. Mr. Moore helped to estab- 
lish the fifth lodge of I. O. O. F. instituted in the 
State of Illinois; this was in 1840. Politically he 
is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote 
for Martin Van Buren. 



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f 



SAAC McDANIEL, of Cedar Township, ranks 
among the honored pioneers of the Hawkeye 
State, coming here when the land was wild and 
unbroken, and when only here and there could be 
seen the humble cabin of the adventurous emigrant. 
His birth occurred in Orange County, N. C, on the 
8th of January, 1802. His father, James McDan- 
iel, was a native of the same county as his son, and 
his grandfather was born in the North of Ireland, 
of Scottish ancestry. He came to America l)efore 
the Revolutionary War, in which he served as 
Colonel, and made for himself a gallant record. 
Prior to this he had settled in Orange County, N. 
C. He improved a farm tliero, and after the close 



of his military career retired to his estate and spent 
tlu' icmainder of his daj's. In early manhood 
James McDaniel, the father of our subject, was 
married to Miss Charity, the daughter of Joseph 
Wells, of his own county and State. She was reared 
in the Society of Friends, and she and her husband 
are buried in the (Quaker Cemetery near Rushville, 
Ind., whither they had removed. 

Isaac McDaniel of this sketch was reared on his 
father's farm in North Carolina, and removed with 
his parents to Indiana. He was married in this 
latter State on the 5th of November, 1828, to Miss 
Frances Edwards, also a native of North Carolina, 
born Jan. 26, 1811. After farming seven years in 
Indiana, he sold out, loaded his household goods into 
a wagon and started for Illinois. He located in 
Morgan County, where he remained until the spring 
of 1837, then gathered up his goods and started for 
Iowa. After two weeks of slow travel they landed 
in Henry County, camping near Salem. 

At this early day the land in this vicinity had 
not even been surveyed, and a white man was sel- 
dom seen. With the assistance of his wife Mr. Mc- 
Daniel put up a cabin of small logs, during the 
building of which they lived in a tent. Their lonely 
and isolated condition and the uncertain prospect 
for the future would seem almost appalling to the 
citizens of to-day, surrounded by the Comforts and 
luxuries which the old jsioneers have assisted to 
provide. But Mr. McDaniel was made of stern 
stuff, and he possessed in his wife a helpmeet e(iual 
tfi everj' emergency-. With heroic determination 
they persevered through every difiiculty, and in 
due time reaped the reward of their labors. When 
the land in that vicinity came into the market Mr. 
McDaniel entered 160 acres in one body and lo- 
cated forty acres in another, and now, after a space 
of fifty years, still occupies his original purchase of 
200 acres. 

Isaac McDaniel and his wif<! have become the 
parents of nine children, the record of whom is as 
follows: Richard lives in Norton County, K:in.; 
Junius died in Cedar Township; Willi.am lives in 
Missouri ; Clarissa, Mrs, Ileddlesen, is in Jewell 
County, Kan. ; Nathan lives in Cedar Township, 
Iowa,; Perry is in Jewell County, Kan. ; Kmily J., 
Mrs. Masden, is in Norton County, Kan.; Newton 




BEISh 








is on the old homestead; Catharine, Mrs. Stedman, 
is ill Jewell County, Kan.; Mr. and Mrs. McD. uf 
this si<eteli liave forty-five grandchildren and 
twenty-six great-grandchildren. The wife of our 
subject is connected with the Christian Church, and 
during the fifty years that they have resided in this 
locality tliey have surrounded themselves with a 
large circle of wairn friends, who, appreciating the 
dangers and the difiiculties througii wliich they liavc 
Come to years of honor, render them the reverence 
and the homage due to the pioneers of half a cen- 
tury. 

f^ KNRY CATTERMOLE, President of tlie 
German-American Bank at Ft. Madison, is 
a native of Loudon, England, and was born 
Sept. 10, 1803. His parents, William and 
.Susan (Thompson) Cattermole, reared to man and 
womanhood eight children, five of whom came to 
the United States. The father died in Canada and 
the mother at Ft. Madison. Henry Cattermole and 
one sister, Betsey Edwards, are the only surviving 
members of the family, and both are living at Ft. 
Madison. 

At an early :ige our subject learned the trade of 
a butcher, which he followed with success in his na- 
tive countrj' until 182,5, when he came to this coun- 
try with the determination of making it his perma- 
nent home, and soon after landing in the city of 
New York went to Rochester, that State, and there 
engaged in the mercantile business. This proved 
a successful enterprise, but, like many others, he 
placed too much confidence in false friends and lost 
more money there than he made. 

In 1830 Mr. Cattermole went to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and again embarked in merchandising, and 
there continued to reside for upward of six years. 
In 1832 he was united in marriage with liis cousin, 
Elizabeth Cattermole, a native of Suffolk Couut3', 
England. She emigrated to the United States with 
her parents the year of her marriage. She was the 
daughter of James and Naomi Cattermole, and 
their eldest son, James, is now residing in Loudon, 
Canada, where lie is following tlie practice of medi- 
cine; Elizabeth, wife of our subject, was the next 
in order of birtii; Emma became the wife of I'hilli 



11 



lii 



Aspenwall, who is now deceased ; George is a mer- 
chant, and living in Illinois, and Arthur C. resides 
at Ft. Madison. Three of Mrs. Cattermole's broth- 
ers and sisters are deceased — William, Henry and 
Caroline, the latter of whom was the wife of Daniel 
McConn, of Ft. Madison, Iowa. 

In 183G Mr. Cattermole of this notice emigrated 
to Illinois, and locating at Appanoose, continued in ^ 
the general mercantile business until 1841. Dur- 
ing that year he ciijssed the Mississippi and be- 
came one of the pioneers of Ft. Madison. He at 
once established himself in the general mercantile 
business there, and also engaged in pork-packing, 
and for upward of thirty years met with far more 
than ordinary success in conducting his business, 
when he sold it to Arthur Cattermole. As a banker 
Mr. Cattermole has been known since 1856, at 
which date he became connected with the banking- 
house of Knapp (k Eaton, and continued in that 
relation until 1858, when the bank was succeeded 
by the Ft. JNIadisoii branch of the State Bank of 
Iowa. Mr. Cattermole was at once chosen Director, 
and served as such until 1 865, at which date the 
bank wound up its career. During the same year 
the Ft. Madison National Bank was organized, our i |is^, 
subject being one of its original stockholders, and 
serving as one of the Directors until Jan. 30, 1872, 
when its charter was surrendered, and the bank of 
Ft. Madison was incorporated under the State law. 
Mr. Cattermole became one of the original stock- 
holders of the latter institution, and subsequently- jijiLJji 
sole proprietor. He conducted it until April 6, "m^th 
1875, when he sold it to Charles Brewster and .lo- i[^ ^ 
seph A. Smith. After disposing of the Bank of Ft. 
Madison, he, in company with others, in 1876 or- 
ganized the German-American Bank, being chosen 'jl 
its first President, and still holds the position | 
(1887). fc 

Mr. Cattermole is now eighty-tiiree years of age, 
but is a well preserved gentleman, and is entirely 
competent to attend to his daily duties at the bank. 
He has always given close attention to business, 
and observed strict integrity and due econ<jniy, 
to which is attributable his success iu life. He may 
be counted among tlie subsUmtial men of Lee 
County. Prior to tlie formation of the Keimb- 
lic;in p:iilv he wa> .-1 Whig. Iml now vo1c> with the 



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Democratic party, although he is not bound by 
party ties. He is a believer in the relijiion of Jesus 
Christ, .'ind, although not a member of any church, 
usually attends the Kpis(!opal. 

-,>> •.o*o.@{>-f4Q)..o*o.. .<.r— 



OHN HYTER, a highly respected farmer of 
Green Bay Township, owns and occupies a 
comfortable homestead on section (J. He 
is a native of Dearborn County, Ind., and 
was born May 1, 1820. He is the son of Abraham 
and Nancy A. (Farris) Hyter. The father was 
born Feb. 4. 1786, near Hagerstown, Md. ; his wife 
was a native of New Jersey, born Dec. 11, 1790. 
They both went to Ohio while single, and it was 
there that they became acquainted and married in 
Harrison, Hamilton Co., Ohio. He was a black- 
smith bj' trade, and for several years did a thriving 
business — so much so that he accumulated two 
farms, just across the line from Harrison in Indiana. 
He finally disposed of his two farms, coming to 
this county, and in March, 1845, entered and 
settled on the farm now owned by his son, Samuel 
Hyter, at Weaver, in Green Bay Township. He 
was a man of some means and purchased 320 acres. 
Abraham Hyter had a family of eight children, 
six of whom arc now living: William T. is a resi- 
dent of Barton County, Kan. ; Barbara A. is the 
wife of Dr. Robert Gilmore, and they live near 
Kansas City, Mo.; John is our subject; Mary is 
the wife of Thomas Davis, and they live in Bloom- 
field, Iowa; Samuel resides on the old home farm, 
and Caroline is the wife of S. F. Richardson, whose 
farm joins the town of Weaver. Mrs. Hyter died 
a few months after their arrival here, in the fall of 
1845, and his death took place in January, 1866. 
Mrs. Hyter was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. In politics he was a Democrat. Our sub- 
ject lived in his native county until 1844, and was 
engaged in farming pursuits. He then crossed the 
Mississippi and came into Lee County, settling in 
(ireen Bay Township. Six years later, on account 
of the illness of his wife, he returned with her to 
her old home in Hamilton County, Ohio, where 
they remained for three years, during wiiich time 
Mr. Hyter was variously employed until her le- 






covery. He then returned to the West and pur- 
chased eighty acres of land in Lee County, upon 
which he settled and has since lived. 

Mr. Hyter has been fairly prospered in his under- 
takings, and is now the owner of 120 acres, which 
he has brought to a good state of cultiv.ation. He 
has a good, substantial farm dwelling, built of brick, 
suitable barns and outhouses for the storing of 
grain and the shelter of stock, and all the necessary 
appliances for carrying on agriculture in a profit- 
able and systematic manner. 

In early manhood Mr. Hyter was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Louisa L. J^ooker, of Hamilton 
County, Ohio, their wedding being celebrated 
Feb. 7, 1844. Of this union there were born six 
children, viz.: Barbara A., William A., Clara, Ed- 
win, Charles R. and Arthur F. The only one liv- 
ing is William A. He was married, Oct. 27, l^Mi. 
to Mrs. Maggie L. Le Suer, widow of William Le 
Suer. Mrs. Louisa Hyter died in (ireen B.iy Town- 
ship July 8, 1882. 

John Ilyter has been prominently identified with 
the affairs of his township, and has held various 
local offices. He is Republican in politics, and rc- 
ligiouslj' is connected with the Christian Church. 
He takes an active interest in the welfare of his 
community, and in all respects is fulfilling the obli- 
gations of a good citizen. 




RS. BARBARA DICKEY, Postmistress of 
Dover, Franklin Township, Lee County, 
has been the incumbent of her present of- 
fice since the death of her husband, whom 
she succeeded in 1864, and is fulfilling the duties 
of her position with credit to herself and satisfac- 
tion to all concerned. Edmund Dickey, deceased, 
was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and was 
born in the town of Marietta May 22, 1813. He 
was reared in his native county and was there mar- 
ried to the subject of our sketch, then Miss Barbara 
Lindemuth. Mrs. D. was born in the same county 
as her husband, and in the same year, on the 13th 
of December. 

After their marriage the\- eanic to Iowa and 
settled in Ft. Madison, where he followed the trade 




^1 

Sa I kiiJiiuiiii ' iuuii l Lixi ilfH=ii . ^^^ 



iSr'r'r'r'il 



nFFrVHT 



i 




of a tailor. He pursued the same calling in the 
Hawke3'e .State for the following eleven years, when 
they came to Dover, which was then only the site 
of the present village, purchased property, and es- 
tablished a store. Mr. Dickey instituted a post- 
office that same year, and gave it the name of 
Dover, taking the position of Postmaster, which he 
held until his death, which occurrred Sept. 4, 1864. 
INIr. and Mrs Dickey became the parents of eight 
children, of whom three are deceased. Those re- 
maining are : Susan, the eldest; Georgiana, the wife 
of J. R. AVarren, and the mother of seven children ; 
William E. owns and operates 150 acres of improved 
land and several small lots, and is unmarried ; Mar- 
garet E. is deceased ; Mary R. and Hattie are the 
proprietors of a store of general merchandise. The 
family are well known and highly respected 
throughout the township, and are prominently con- 
nected with the Presbyterian Church. Edmund 
Dickey, in politics, was strongly Republican. His 
son has followed closely in his footsteps, and 
uniformly casts his vote in support of the princi- 
ples of that party. 



W. DODD is a well-known and highly 
respected citizen of Ft. Madison, and de- 
serves especial notice as one of the enter- 
prising and thorough business men of Lee Co. 
He was born on a farm near IVIarysville, Union Co., 
Ohio, in the year 1847, being the eldest child of 
Isaac J. and Mary Dodd, who are now residents of 
Ft. Madison. He was but five years old, when, in 
the fall of 1853, the familj' immigrated into the 
State of Iowa, and settled on a farm near Oska- 
loosa, where he spent his boj'hood da3's. There he 
received a good literary education in the public 
schools and colleges, and subsequentlj' studied law 
in the ofHce of ex-Lieui. Gov. Hon. John R. Need- 
ham. He was admitted to the bar and practiced 
in the legal profession for nearly five years, at 
Columbus City, Iowa. In January, 1873, he re- 
moved to Ft. Madison, and became connected witli 
a leadiug firm of wholesale druggists and manu- 
facturing piiarmacists. He afterward became pro- 
prietor of tlu! Ft. Madison Plaindealer, wliicii he 





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edited and publislied successfully for two years. 
Being a worthy member and great lover of tlie order 
of Knights of Pythias, he, in 1877, founded the 
"Knight's Sword and Helmet," a monthly journal 
devoted to the interests of that order. In this en- 
terprise he was kindly assisted by iiis friend, Hon. 
John Van Valkenburg, who occupied the editorial 
chair one year, since which time Mr. Dodd lias ccm- 
tinued alone, and the journal has proved a remark- 
able success. 

Mr. Dodd is an Odd Fellow, and in January, 
1880, founded "The New Monitor," a monthly 
journal the same size as the " Knight's Sword and 
Helmet," and devoted to the interests of Odd Fel- 
lowship. Although having more business than any 
one man ought to attend to, Mr. Dodd became as- 
sociated in partnership with Capt. George E. Davis, 
in 1885, and under the firm style of Davis, Dodd & 
Co., is carrying on aT7 extensive real estate, loan 
and insurance business. This firm also publishes l]^^ 
" Nelson's Pocket Railway Guide." Thus it can t^TliI 
be seen that Mr. Dodd is transacting an immense 
amount of business, and as everything he undertakes 
is well done, his time is fully occupied by hard 
work. In the autumn of 1874 Mr. Dodd became 
connected with the Knights of Pythias, as a member 
of Gem City Lodge No. 21, and, after passing all 
the chairs within the gift of that lodge, became |l|p 
convinced that there was a wide field of labor in 
this dii'ection, and he organized (iolden Cross 
Lodge No. Ill, which has three times, unanimously, 
elected him as representative to the Grand Lodge. 
He also occupies a high position in the I'niform 
Rank Knights of Pythias, in Iowa, being aid-de- 
camp to the Brig.adier General, with the rank of 
Major. He is a member of Ft. Madison Lodge No. 
157, 1. O. 0. F., and has passed all the chairs within 
its gift, and is now Secretary and General Manager 
of the Odd Fellows' Protective and Benefit Associa- 
tion. 

Politically Mr. l)od<l is a Republican, and was 
chosen Presidential Elector in 187G by Gov. 
Samuel J. Kirkwood, to represent the First Con- 
gressional District of Iowa in the Electoral College, 
and by that college was chosen messenger to con- 
vey the vote and other papers of the college to the 
United States District .Judge; this alone was a great 



-g5^ 







mark of confidence, especially on account of the 
closeness of the electoral vote of the United .States, 
at that general election, iinown as the Hayes-Tilden 
contest, and although not a politician, he is a warm 
supporter of the party's principles. His religious 
connection, like that of his parents, is with the 
Presbyterian Church. As a business man he is 
prompt in the fultillnient of every obligation, thus 
meriting the fullest confidence of the bankers in 
his cit}-, and all others with whom he has dealings. 
.Socially he is courteous, communicative and agree- 
able; always pleasant and genial, no matter what 
his business troubles may be. 

The marriage of II. ^V^ Dodd and Miss Ada M. 
Neal was celebrated June G, 1871. Mrs. Dodd is 
a daughter of Ur. B. G. Neal, of Columbus City, 
Iowa, and is a lady of fine education and ac- 
complishments. The household circle of Mr. and 
Mrs. Dodd includes three lovely children — Fred, 
Neal and Ada. Their home is replete with the ap- 
pliances of cultivated taste and refinement, and 
their circle of friends includes the best people of 
Ft. Madison and vicinitv. 



^M.Cfi'®^-' 



ja— >./.^^l<3rjrii»>. 



bEWLS B. KKELER, a iiiosperous farmer of 
Pleasant Ridge Townshij), uwns and occu- 
l)ies a tine homestead on section ;>(). He 
has lieen a resident of the Ilawkeye State for thirty 
years, coming here when a young man, unmarried, 
and has watched with unaliated interest the growth 
and development of his adopted State, and has 
malerially assisted in the transformation which has 
taken place since the period of his settlement here. 
Mr. Keeler was born in one of the most Ijeautiful 
localities of the Buckeye State and in the city of 
Norwalk, which is famous in that vicinity for its 
fine residences, rows of shade trees, pleasant 
streets, aud the fine country surrounding it. Nor- 
walk is situated in Huron County, and the birth of 
our subject occurred on the 24th of April, 1S30. 

The i)areuts of our subject were Lewis and Re- 
becca (Stei)liens) Keeler, natives of Connecticut, 
who were among thi' early pioneers of Ilinon 
County. They maile the journey from Connecti- 



cut to Ohio with an ox-team, and settling near 
Norwalk established a home, in which they lived 
the remainder of their da^'s. Their farm consisted 
of 16(1 acres, now valued at 1125 per acre. Lewis 
Keeler died at the age of eightj'-fonr years, and 
his wife, Rebecca, at sixty-five. Their family con- 
sisted of twelve children, nine of whom grew to 
years of maturity, and five are still living, viz., 
Emily. Lewis B., Jane, Julius and Sylvia. 

Lt^wis B. Keeler remained under the parental 
ro(^f for several years after he had attained his ma- 
jority, aud was engaged in farming pursuits. He 
came to Iowa in 1S50, and was soon afterward 
married to Miss Lueretia Johnson. The lady had 
been a playmate of his boyhood days, and their 
attachment was one of long standing. After mar- 
riage they returned to Ohio, where they remained 
for two years, and in Februarj', 18.')bi. recrossed 
the Father of Waters and established themselves 
upon a farm in Lee County. 

Upon the breaking out of the late war Mr. Keeler 
enlisted as a .soldier in Co. I, oOth Iowa A'ol. Inf., 
and served with his regiment until the close of the 
war. He entered the service as Fifth Sergeant and 
was mustered out as First Lieutenant. His regi- 
ment was engaged in twenty-one hard-fought 
battles, and Mr. Keeler participated in nineteen of 
them, among which may be mentioned Chickasaw 
Bluffs, Arkansas Post, the siege of \'icksburg. 
Lookout Mountain, Missi(m Ridge and Ringgold 
Hill. lie was with Gen. Sherman in the march 
from Atlanta to the sea, and discharged his duties 
as a soldier in a praiseworthy manner. After the 
close of the war Mr. Keeler returned to Lee County 
and resumed his farming operations in Pleasant 
Ridge Towushii). He is now the po.sse.•-^or of 112 
acres of land, finely improved, aud equipped with a 
good dwelling and all the necessary outhouses. 

The union of JSIr. and Mrs. Keeler was blest 
by the birth of six ciiildren — Lovina, Sylvia, Frank, 
Polly, Onia and Rosella. Mr. Keeler is Repub- 
lican in politics and a member of the G. A. R. He 
enjoys, to a marked degree, the confidence of his 
fellow -townsmen, and has occupied various impor- 
tant odices within their gift. He was Township 
Trustee for five years, and in religious matters is 
connected with the Piesbyterian Church. 




LEE COUNTY. 



565 




■<^ MLLTAIM D. STEELE, a prominent business 
\fj// "i-i» "f Keolvulv, is a nativo of Philadelphia, 
VW I'a., the son of William and Mary (Dun- 
lap) Steele, and was born Aug. 15, 1841. He 
comes of excellent Scotch-Irish ancestry; his father 
was a native of Scotland and his mother of the 
North of Ireland. "William Steele, Sr., was edu- 
cated in his native land for a Presbyterian clergy- 
man, but not being quite satisfied with his prospects 
there, emigrated to America and engaged in the 
manufacture of boots and shoes, first in Phila- 
delphia, whence he removed to Cincinnati, and 
from there to Shelbyville, Tenn. From this latter 
place he came ti) Keokuk in the fall of 18.H, re- 
mained until the following spring, and then went 
to Clark County, Mo., where he j^nrchased a tract 
of wild land, opened up a farm, and established a 
home, remaining there until his death, which oc- 
curred in March, 1858. The mother of our subject 
came to America when a small child, and was mar- 
ried to William Steele, Sr., in Philadelphia. She 
survived her husband eleven years, d3'ing in 1869. 
The parental household consisted of eleven chil- 
dren, of whom three only are living: William ])., 
our subject; .John McDonald, of Montana, where 
he has a cattle ranche, and Annie, now Mrs. J. 
Stone, of Browning, Sullivan Co., Mo. 

William D. Steele remained with his parents 
attending school until thirteen years of age, and at 
the age of fifteen commenced working on his 
father's farm in Misst)uri. He was thus employed 
the following five years, but becoming tired of 
farming, decided to change his occupation. He ac- 
cordingly came to Keokuk and obtained employ- 
ment in the grocery store of James E. Bruce, with 
whom he remained one year. He then set up in 
business for himself, dealing in general produce for 
one year, and afterward in the retail grocery busi- 
ness. He then went to Natchez, Miss., and engaged 
in the hotel business there for one j'ear. He then 
returned to Keokuk, and engaged in the retail 
grocery trade with Mr. Bruce, operating under the 
firm name of Bruce & Steele. In 1870 he disposed 
of his interest ty his partner, who became associ- 
ated with John Purdew, and our subject engaged 
as traveling salesman for the firm of Bruce and 
Primeau for fifteen months, when he purchased the 



interest of Mr. Primeau, and the business was oper- 
ated under the title of Bruce & Steele for two years. 
Mr. Bruce then disposed of his interest to W. M. 
Moore, and the firm became Moore & Steele, after 
which the whole business was transferred by sale to 
James E. Bruce. Mr. Steele now opened a whole- 
sale liquor business on Main street, but i-etired from 
this last business Nov. 10, 188(>. 

The marriage of William D. Steele and .Miss 
Margaret J., daughter of Maitin Stafford, was 
celebrated in Keokuk, in 1870. Of this union have 
been born five children, two of whom died in in- 
fancy; those living are Mary E., William J. .nnd 
Charles S. They now occupy the old Stafford 
homestead at No. 113 Blondeau street, and Mr. 
Steele has his office at No. 615 Main street. Mr. S. 
is Democratic in politics, and is amply entitled to 
be classed among the representative citizens of 
Keokuk. 

,,... NDREW J. BULLARD, deceased, formerly 
^(LM a well-known resident of Madison Town- 
.ship, was a native of Burlington, Iowa, 
and the son of Theophilusand Lucy (Arm- 
strong) Bullard. At the time of his birth Iowa was 
a |)art of the Territory of Wisconsin, and abont 
three j'ears thereafter his parents removed from 
Burlington to a farm in Lee County, where our 
subject was reared to manhood. Their farm was 
comparatively unimproved and uncultivated when 
they took possession of it, and when our subject 
had attained to a suitable age, he assisted in the 
lighter duties of the homestead, and during a few 
months of each year pursued his studies in the pio- 
neer schools. He remained with his parents contin- 
uously until they ceased their earthly labors, and 
afterward occupied the old homestead until his 
death. 

Andrew J. Bullard and Miss Amanda Walker 
were united in marriage Dec. 8, 1859. She was 
bfirn in New York, Jan. 12. 1842, and departed 
this life April 24, 1869. He was married the sec- 
ond time, Nov. 20, 1-870, to Miss Frances M. 
Snivel}-, of Franklin County, Fa., born April 3, 
184W, and the daughter of Henry H. and Sarah 
(Hershey) Snively. Mrs. B. was a child of three 




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years old when her pai'ents came to Jowa, and she 
lived with them until her marriage. Of her union 
with our sul)j(X't there were born five children — 
Charles ('., John A., Theophilus, Daisy M. and 
Lucy. 

During the earlier years of liis life Mr. Bullard 
was connected with th(> Uaiitist Church but later 
became a member of the Protestant ISIethodist. He 
was Democratic in jiolitics, and was well known 
throughout tliis vicinity as a straightforward busi- 
ness man, and lived to see his family established in 
a comfortable home. The old homestead is occu- 
pied and operated by Mrs. Bullard and her sons. 
It consists of 27-2 acres of finely cultivated land, 
is supplied with a comfortaVjle farm residence, good 
barns and out-buildings, and stocked with choice 
domestic animals. 



,*s^> AMLIEL TAYLOR MARSHALL, who oc- 



^^^ cupies a hig 
lv^_-3) sional men c 



gh jKtsition among the profes- 
of the Hawkeye State, is next to 
the oldest member of the bar of Lee County, 
and during a long experience in matters requiring 
his professional services, has distinguished himself 
by his ability, learning and natural genius. Mr. 
Marshall was born in Butler County, Oliio, Feb. 
26, 1816, and is the son of Gilbert and Mary 
(Hueston) Marshall, natives of Penns3'lvania and 
yTVC Virginia respectively. His grandfather, James 
U HI Marshall, was a native of Washington County, Pa., 
and a man of great energy and force of character, 
and who became prominentl}^ identified with the 
agricultural and industrial interests of that section. 
He was a farmer b^' occui)ation. His wife's father 
was a pioneer settler of the Old Dominion and was 
killed b\' the Indians. He lived in a block-house 
^at the time, and was shot while attending to the 
drying of some tobacco. Gilbert Marshall, the 
father of our subject, had a family of ten children, 
all of whom lived to nmture years and raised fam- 
ilies of their own. 

.Samuel T. Marshall of our sketch, was reared on 
his father's farm, which was in sight of the old Ox- 
fonl College, and received the advantages of the 
country schools of his neighborhood. In due time 





he entered the jireparatory department of said col- 
lege, where he took a full classical course, and 
graduated in August, 1840. He wrote the first 
Constitution and By-Laws of the Greek Letter So- 
ciety, called the " Beta Theta Pi," being one of 
the three founders of the society, which is still in 
existence and at present has a mendjership of over 
7,000. About this time young Marsh.all suddenly 
became very patriotic, and joined the little armj' 
called " The Patridts." which served at the time of 
the Canadian Rebellion. For his zeal and activity 
he was commissioned ]>ieutenant-Colonel, and is 
still in po.ssession of the document indicating his 
soldierly rank. While in the service, he and one of 
his comrades were taken by the enemy and thrown 
into prison. After a trial, and being pronounced 
guilty of invasion, they were sentenced to be fined 
and transported to "\'an Dieman's Land. Jlr. Mar- 
shall, (m account of the indifference with which he 
viewed the situation, was set free, but his friend 
was sent into banishment. During Ins inijirison- 
ment Mr. Marshall suffered great hardship and ex- 
posure, which brought on severe illness. After 
reaching home, he entered the law otHce of Timo- 
thj' Wiilker at Cincinnati. After one session there 
he resumed his reading in the office of Pettit & 
Orth, of La Fayette, Ind., both distinguished jurists, 
where he completed his studies and returned to his 
home in Ohio for a brief season. 

Mr. Marshall came to Lee County in December, 
1842, and commenced the practice of law at West 
Point, then the county seat, where he continued 
until l.s4(j, when he removed to Keokuk. In the 
meantime he had been united in marriage with Miss 
Louisa Patterson, the second daughter of Col. Will- 
iam Patterson, of Lee County. Mr. Marshall 
claims that his marriage was the most ])i'ofitable 
day's work which he ever did in iiis life. Tlie 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall has been blest by 
the birth of ten children, six sons and four daugh- 
ters, six of whom have lived to mature years, and 
are recorded as follows: Robert Mitchell graduated 
at Miami College in 1870, has been Prosecuting 
Attornej' for the past four ^-ears, and is a law part- 
ner of his father's; William Patterson, the .second 
son, was obliged to leave the same college in the 
junior yeai- on account of sickness; he afterward 



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studied law witli his father, and is now in the of- 
fice of the latter. Albert Tom, a graduate of the 
High School of Keokuk, afterward commenced the 
study of law, and is now practicing, having his 
office with his father; he is now County Auditor 
for the south half of Lee County. Chapin Hall 
was educated at Keokuk, and is a postal clerk on the 
M., I. &. N. R. R. ; he has been in Montana Ter- 
ritory, where, for some time, he operated a sheep 
ranch; Maude received her education at the home 
schools, and being studious and fond of her books, 
is well versed in history, mathematics and music; 
Sabret Taylor, sixteen years old, is yet in school at 
Keokuk. 

Mr. Marshall has never been a political aspirant, 
althougli taking a lively interest in matters pertain- 
ing to the public welfare, and has often stumped 
the county in behalf of candidates whom he re- 
garded as competent to fulfill important trusts. He 
is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, but gives 
most of his attention to his law practice and his 
clients. 



-^ ACOB SCHOUTEN, General Superintendent 
of the firm of the Keokuk Cracker and Candy 
Company, is a native of Holland, born Feb. 
11, 1 856, and is tlie son of Henry and Antonia 
Schoiiteu, also of Holland ancestry and parentage. 
They emigrated from their native country to the 
Tuited States in 1867, and proceeding westward, 
came into the Hawkeye State and settled in Keokuk, 
where the father is also engaged in the bakery and 
confectionery business. The parental famil}' con- 
sisted of eleven children, of whom six are now liv- 
ing — Jacob, Martin, Richard, Delia (Mrs. Brigman), 
Nicholas and Maggie, all of Keokuk. 

The subject of our sketch attended school in his 
native land until he was nine years of age, and then 
went into the bakery to work with his father. Af- 
ter coming to this country he attended Bailey's 
College in the evenings for two terms, and also took 
an additional term in the public schools of Keokuk. 
He was an industrious student, made good progress 
in his studies, and the result is seen in his intelli- 
gence and the fund of general information which he 
possesses. After leaving school he was variously 



occupied until 1871 , when he resumed work withK 
his father here and remained with him for the fol 
lowing nine year.s. He then went into business for 
himself, carrying on a confectionery and ice-cream 
establishment for about eigiiteen months, then soldc 
out and engaged with William Rudick in the whole- 1 
sale cracker and candy business at the corner of 
Tenth and Johnston streets. Tiiey continued in 
partnership for two and a half years, in the mean- 
time erecting the building now used by the Keokuk 
Cracker and Cand^y Company, and the same year 
(1883) dissolved partnership and disposed of their 
machinery. This building, including all the appli- 
ances, was valued at 112,000. The present com- 
pany was organized in September, 1883, and is com- 
posed of gentlemen of experience, who possess am- 
ple capital with which to carry on the business in a 
profitable manner. The products of their factory 
are immensely popular throughout the Gate City. 

Mr. Schouten was married, in 1884, to Miss 
Emma C, daughter of August Burger. By a for- 
mer marriage Mr. S. became tlie father of two chil- 
dren — Elviua S. and Helen M. The3- have a com- 
fortable home, located on the corner of Second and 
Exchange streets, and enjoy the confidence and 
friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. Mrs. 
S. is a regular attendant of the German Evangeli- 
cal Church, with which she is connected in member- 
ship, and Mr. S. belongs to the I. O. O. F. He 
uniformly casts his vote with the Democratic part3', 
and takes an active and intelligent interest in local 
and general matters. He is fulfilling all the obli- 
gations of a good citizen, and. in company with his 
partners, is contributing material aid to the indus- 
trial interests of the (Jate City. 

OHN A. McCORMlCK, of Ft. Madison, is 
Station Agent of the Ft. M. & N. R. R., and 
is filling this responsible position in a maimer 
satisfactory to all concerned. He is a man 
oT^good business qualifications, and is highly re- 
spected in this locality, lie is a native of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, born Oct. 20, 183'J, and is the son of 
John A. and Ann E. (^Fadley) McCormick, natives 
of Virt^inia. He was but three months old when they 





I la izxi iix riri ri rr XT liiitx^i X 



■ 





emigrated to Iowa. After a residence of ten years at 
Muscatine the father was attacked witli tho C'lili- 
fornia fever, and after due preparation, started 
across the plain.'* for the •' Ian<l of promise." The 
transportation was m.-ido with ox-teams, and after a 
long and tedious journej' he arrived at his destina- 
tion, and entering the mines, was very snceessful in 
his operations. He returned to Muscatine, Iowa, 
in 185'2, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, meet- 
ing with success, remaining there until his decease, 
which occurred in 1863, while at St. Louis on busi- 
ness. His wife is still living, and resides with our 
subject. The parental family' consisted of nine 
children, of whom .lohn A. was the second and onlj- 
survivor. 

Mr, McCormick was reared and educated in Mus- 
catine, and at a suitable age began his business career. 
During the progress of the war he enlisted in the 
.35th Iowa Infautr3', becoming a member of Com- 
panj' E, and served as a soldier until the close of 
the war. He was at the siege and capture of Vicks- 
burg, in the two battles at Jackson, Miss.; at 
Hatchie River, and participated in the various 
other engagements and skirmishes of his regiment. 
In the spring of 18G4 he was detailed to recruit in 
Iowa, being absent from the scenes of conflict four 
or five weeks. He received an honorable discharge 
with his regiment in August, 18G5. 

After his return from the army Mr. McCormick 
settled in Muscatine and engaged as a clerk in the 
office of the lumber-yards, where he was employed 
for six months. He then went to Chicago, and 
was employed in the commission business, dealing 
in country produce, and remained there for nine 
months. He then returned West to Burlington, 
Iowa, and became shipping clerk at that point for 
the C. B. & Q. R. R. Co., which position he occu- 
pied for four years, and finally abandoned it to 
take his present position, which he has held since 
I that time, with the exception of eighteen months, 
I during which he was in the emplOy of the Morrison 
Bros. Manufacturing Company. 

John A. McCormick and Miss Fannie E. .Sparks 
Si were united in marriage in September, 1862. Mrs. 
1 McC. is a native of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and was 
U born in September, 1838. She is the daughter of 
Greene and Susan (Hunt) Sparks, natives of the 



same State. She was reared in her native town, 
find received a fair education at the common 
sciiools. remaining with her parents until her mar- 
riage. Of her union with our subject there has 
been born one child, a son — Sullivan. Mrs. McC. 
is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian 
C'lnnch. They occupy a pleasant home and enjoy 
the friendship of .i large circle of acquaintances. 



— s-- 



#-# 




R. WALTON BANCROFT, an old and 
highly respected ph^-sician of the Gate 
City, is a native of the Bay State, having 
been born in Massachusetts on the .5th of 
August, 1828. The younger years of our subject 
were passed in attendance at the common schools 
and academy in his native place. After leaving 
school he was engaged as clerk in the store of his 
uncle for some j'ears, devoting a portion of his 
time, however, to the study of medicine. His 
health failing, he came West, and resided several 
years in Quincy and Warsaw, 111. With his health 
restored, he again engaged in his favorite studj' of 
medicine, spending a year in Chicago, thence going 
to St. Louis, where he graduated from the Homeo- 
l)athic Medical College of Missouri in 1860. 

The following year witnessed the outbreak of 
the Rebellion, and Dr. Bancroft with hundreds of 
others, determined to liecome a soldier of the Union. 
He accordingly enlisted in the 7th Jlissouri Cav- 
alry as ?Mrst Lieutenant, but was compelled to re- 
sign after one year's service on account of trouble 
with his eyes. He then returned to New England, 
where he remained one year, a victim of granular 
conjunctivities, and again proceeded westward. He 
had been a close student and was well fitted to 
enter upon the practice of his chosen jirofession. 
He now located at Warsaw, 111., where he remained 
for six years, building up a good practice and mak- 
ing many friends. Thence he went to La Salle, 
111., from there to Indianapolis, and two ye.-irs later 
came into Keokuk. 

Since coming to this city Dr. Bancroft has been 
in active practice and stands high among his pro- 
fessional brethren. He is a member of the Hahne- 
mann Medical Society of Iowa, of which he is an 



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LEE COUNTY. 



[:| ex-President ; the Westeru Academy of Homeop- 
1 athy; the American Institute of Homeopathy; 
Americau Obstetrical Society, and is an honorary 
member of the Indiana .State Homeopathic Insti- 
Dr. Bancroft is a liberal and public-si)irited 
5 man, who rejoices in the prosperity of his com- 
munity and extends his aid to all worthy enter- 
prises. His office is located at No. olG^ Main 
street, and the residence of the family is at (iU? 
High street. 



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};S Il_^ON. I). F. MILLER settled and com- 
liS lr^\ luenced the practice of law in Iowa in 
April, 1839. which was in the earl3' terri- 
torial daj's of Iowa. He first settled at Ft. 
5 ^ladison, but for the past twenty-seven 3'ears has 
'' " resided at Keokuk, and has practiced law in Iowa 
; longer than any other living citizen. He was born 
§ in the State of Maryland, but studied law at Pitts- 
C burgh, Pa., commencing its study Oct. 15, 1835, 
§ over fifty j-ears ago. .Several years since Mr. Mil- 
t ler wrote in versification a rather extended history 
G of the leading public events, modes of thought, and 
E manners of life in the territorial days of Iowa, from 
: which, at our special request, he has permitted us 
Z to have copied the following graphic biographical 
B sketch of the the four first resident lawyers of Lee 
S County, Iowa. It will doubtless be read with 
: curious interest hy tlie new settlers of Lee County: 

Ye Pioneer Lawyers of Lee County, Iowa. 



M 



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"Twas in the spring of eighteen thirty-nine, 
I well remember was the time, 
When first I felt Lee County clime: 
Saw from a boat its lovely shore, 
When lawyers here were only four. 
But they were skilled in legal lore. 
And for impassioned high debate. 
Were scarce excelled in any State. 

I soon thereafter at the bar. 
Them often met; sometimes in jar. 
Sometimes before, sometimes behind. 
As court or jury seemed inclined. 

'Tis hard t(j place their names in rhyme. 
To have the sound in measure chime. 
But yet to name them not at all. 
Would show ui'glecl of friendship's call. 



P. Viele, lawyer, scholar grand. 
In age led first of all the band ; 
In 3'ears twoscore, and in his waj-. 
In wit and words as bright as day. 
Held court and jury 'neath his sway. 

He was by culttu-e much refined, 
And by his nature much inclined 
To be a friend in word and deed, 
To all who did his service need. 

In morals he was strict and good, 

And as a friend the foremost stood 

In social life to S3'mpathize. 

Or with his help to fraternize 

With all to him had favor shown, 

Or long as neighljor he had known. 

And though averse to social strife. 

And loving quiet, peaceful life. 

Yet when aroused by sense of wrong. 

He showed resentment swift and strong; 

And by his words, or other wa3-. 

Soon made the foe regret the day 

He cross'd the line of honor's bound. 

To stir his thoughts, or feelings wound. 

And when Old Settler's Council held, 

To oi'ganize and friendship weld, 

He was selected President. 

The first to whom that honor went. 

Next, Henry Eno, close in rear 
Of Yiele, b3' perhaps a year; 
Though kind and careful not to mar, 
B3' thoughtless words the peace of bar. 
Yet when arous'd knew how to fight 
In war of words for client's right. 

Though he knew Coke and Blackstone well, 

His mind was most inclined to dwell 

On other thoughts, on natural laws, 

To learn the origin and cause 

Of human life, and beings, all. 

Which move on earth's terrestial ball : 

To stud3' science in detail. 

From insect small to floundering whale; 

To know why seasons come and go, 

Whj' summer yields to winter's snow; 

Wh3'^ vegetation thrives in soil. 

Or man is doomed to live bv' toil; 

What keeps the planets in their course, 

Or gives the earth diurnal force. 

These, and all nature's wide domain. 

Would oft his meditation claim; 

Would draw his mind from civil laws. 

And be the means, the often cause. 

To make him heedless of employ. 

And dwarf his business at law. 

And he removed to farther West, 




rxxTranrrxri I ixiii 





To California, then the best 
For wealth and fame, of all the land 
Then known or owned h}' Uncle Sam ; 
And soon when there was made a Judge. 
And bade farewell to lawyer's drudge. 

Next Alfred Rich, in age the third. 
Gentle in thought, and true in word, 
Deep in the knowledge of the law. 
And quick to see or seize a flaw, 
Was held in years at twenty-six. 
As near as I the time can fix. 

He was to fell consumption prey, 
And ere full manhood pass'd away; 
Pass'd in the morning of his sun, 
Pjre half its course of fame was run; 
For he had niin<l of high degree, 
Witli gentle lieart and |)robit\". 
Which would in time, liad he been spar'd 
'Til years his talents had matur'd. 
Have placed him high in niche of fame. 
With greatly honored legal name. 

Last, Edward Johnstone, in degree 

Of years, the fourth, was twenty-three. 

With nine months more for eompan}'. 

And tliough the 3'oungest of them all, 

In legal fight, gave fail for fall. 

His speech was nervous, lucid, strong 

In classic terms, and never long; 

And had he at the bar reniain'd 

Lee Count3- might jusllj' have claimed, 

Of orators, him 'niongst the best 

Of all the speakers in the West. 

As writer he was learn'd and terse, 
And sometimes turned his pen to verse. 
Where sentiment and wit combin'd, 
AVith imager}' of thought refin'd, 
Show'd that in liim the muse had birtli. 
Though few her visits are <in earth; 
And what he wrote in j-oung man's days, 
Was frequent theme of settler praise. 

I then in years was twenty-four, 

With thereto added six montlis more. 

And still am to the law inclin'd. 

Though they, the law, long since resign'd ; 

A part because of death's decree. 

The rest, b.y choice and destinj'; 

And when I count tlie long years o'er. 

Since last I met that honor'd four 

At b.ir of court, on court-liouse floor, 

I feel like one deserted, lost, 

B}' wreck <^f ship on ocean tossed. 

Judge Johnstone and .Mr. Miller alone surv 
but the former has been out of the practice of 
oi- tliirtj' years or more. 



ive, 
law 



UILLIAM B. HATTON, a prosperous far- 
mer of Montrose Township, is the possessor 
^J^' of 240 acres of valuable land on section 
16. He has a handsome two-storj' dwelling-house, 
to which he is adding further improvements, a fine 
liarn .ind all necessary outhouses, costly farm im- 
plements and ni.achinerv, and all tiie appliance^ 
for carrying on agriculture and stock-breeding in a 
first-class m.anner. In addition to the cultivation 
of his land he is extensively eng.aged in the breed- 
ing of high-grade Short-horn cattle. 

Mr. Hatton is a native of Jackson County, Mo., 
and the date of his birth was May 22, 1 84".). He 
is the son of Henry and Sarah (Walker) Hatton, 
natives of Pennsjdvania. Henrj' Hatton was born 
in 181.'), and Mrs. Sarah Hatton two j'ears later, in 
1817. They removed to ]\Iissouri in 1X48, and in 
the fall of 1863 to Lee County, Iowa, and are now- 
living in Montrose. Their household included 
eight children, two of whom, Minerva and Caro- 
line, died in infancy, and a sou, John, died at the 
age of five months; Timothy S. niarried Miss 
Mollie Ingles, and is now living in Missouri; James 
H. married Miss Susan Ingles, and they are also in 
Missouri; William B. of oui' sketch is the next in 
order of birth: John M. married Miss Hannaii 
Wilson, and is living in Missouri; Mary I., Mrs. 
A. 1). Richards, lives in New London, Iowa.- 

\\'il!iam 15. Hatton and Miss Mar}- Finerty were 
united in marri.age June it, 1877. Mrs. Hatton 
was born in Allegheny County, Pa.. May 17. 18,53, 
and is the daughter of Timoth}- and Mary (Malone) 
Finerty, natives of Count}- Galway, Ireland. 
Timothy Finerty was born in 1803, and emigrated 
to the United States, locating in Iowa. His death 
occurred June lit, 1874, and his lemains were in- 
terred at Keokuk. He was a member of the Cath- 
olic Church, and a farmer liy occupation. Mrs. 
Mary Finerty w.as born -hine 1;"). IsiKi, and is still 
living. She is remarkably active and intelligent, 
.although now at the advanced age of over seventy 
years. Of her marriage with Mr. Finerty ten eliil- 
dren were born, of whom the record is as follows; 
Peter married M^ss Jane Shea, and lives in Lead- 
ville. Col. ; Michael married Miss Kate O'Dounell, 
and lives in Denver; Timothy died Oct. 10, 1878; 
he was married to Miss May tjlinu. The next two 







r 







^i died in infancy unnamed; Jobn died at the age 



1-: of eiglit years; Francis, when thi'ee years old; 

iJS Mary and Willie at the age of two months. 

Mr. and Mrs. Willinni P>. Hatton have become 
the parents of four children: Ida, burn June 3, 
1878, died Dec. 21. l.s.Sd; Henry T., born July 12, 
IsgO; Peter, Aug. 9, lK.s;5; William E., born 
June 28, 18,S5, died May 1.5, 1 HSU. Mrs. Hattun 
is a member in good standing of the Catholic 
Church. Mv. II. has been a resident of the Hawk- 
eye State since ISGS, coming here from Missouri. 
He has been prosperous in his undertakings, is a 
thorough business man, and is fulfilling all the obli- 
gations of an honest man and a good citizen. Po- 
litically he is a stanch Democrat. 




■-*!^ 



^P^ 



i^ics- 



LIVER BROOKS, of Denmai'k Township, is 
remembered as one of the early pioneers of 
this section, having made a settlement here 
in November. 1838. He was born among the New 
I Hampshire hills, in the town of New Ipswich, Hills- 
; boro County, May 14, 1810, his parents being 
: Stephen and Rachel (Taylor) Brooks, natives of 
'. Massachusetts. They reared a family- of six sons 
= and one daughter, of whom the three eldest are 
i now deceased, but lived to the age of eighty years 
each, and four yet survive: Rachel, Mrs. Davis, of 
New Hampshire ; Harvey, of Gardner, Mass. ; Oliver 
and Newton, of Chelsea, Mass. 
~. Our subject in early life atHliated with the Whig 
? party, was next a Free-Soiler and later a Repub- 
• lioan. He is a strong temperance man, bitterly op- 
posed to the sale and manufacture of intoxicating 
liquors. He has never confined himself to party 
politics, liut believes in securing the best men for 
office. In religion he has been a member of the 
Congregational Church since attaining his majority, 
:(S and a Deacon for over forty years, and Clerk of the 
church since 1 H39. 
Mr. Bi'ooks was one of the original Trustees of Deu- 
ijjjl mark Academy' and still holds the position, being 
the only one living of the lirst Board, lie was the 
first Clerk of Denmark Township, which position 




I he held for about twenty years, and was also first 
Assessor. 

Oliver Brooks was next to the youngest of his 
parents' family, and was reared on the farm and 
educated in the district school. \\'lien eighteen P^ 
years of age he went to work in n cotton factory 
in his native town, where he continued in the same 
business for ten years. He was married, June 18, 
1835, to Miss Eliza Caroline Fari-ar, who was a na- 
tive of Concord, Mass., and born Oct. 21, IHII. 
Her parents were John and Calla (Stearns) Farrar. 
They removed to Stoddard, in the same State, when 
Mrs. Brooks was but three years old. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. B. located in 
Lowell, aiass., and remained there three yeai-s. 
Then, on account of failing health, Mr. Brooks was 
compelled to abandon his work in a factory, and with 
his family started for the A\'est. They proceeded 
by rail via Boston to Stonington, Conn.,; thence by jl 
steamer to New York City, from there by rail to ] ^M 
Piiiladelphia, and thence crossed the AUeghanies by 
rail and stage to Pittsburgh. From there they 
traveled by the Ohio and Mississipi Rivers to Han- 
nibal, Mo., where the boat was frwzen up in the 
ice. They disembarked and went to Palmyra, and 
thence by team to Lee County, where they had ac- 
quaintances living. The first land sale of this 
vicinity took place after their arrival, and Mr. 
Brooks entered eighty acres of their present farm. 
He soon erected an unpretentious house and barn, 
and took possession of his jnirchase. He taught 
school the following winter at Denmark, and i)ry- 
ceeded with the cultivation and improvement of his 
farm, being prospered in his business and farming 
operations. As time passed on he added to his 
landed possessions, and is now the owner of 283 
acres, with the best of improvements. He has a 
fine farm dwelling, good barns and outhouses, 
oich.-irdj. anil choice shrubbery, and all the appli- 
ances of a first-class modern agriculturist. He lias 
given considerable attention to dairying antl stock- 
raising, his cattle being mostly of the Holstein 
lireed. He is now assisted in his farming opera- 
tion> b^' his ne|>hew, Frank H. Bowden. who has 
the principal charge of the cattle and the f:iriii. 
Mr. and .Mrs. Brooks never had children of their 

own, but have served as father and mother to 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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several others. Mrs. Bowden, a sister of Mrs. 
Brooks, was left a widow witli four small children, 
and was taken into the home of our subject with 
her little family, where they have been kindlj' 
sheltered and eared for over twenty-live 3'ears. 
Also another sister, Mrs. Bartlett, made her home 
with them at different times. She has been a widow 
three times. Rev. Oliver Emerson being her last 
husb.and. She now lives at Grinnell, Iowa, with her 
son Oliver T., wlio is Principal of the Academy and 
College at Grinnell. The daughter, Clara, is teacher 
in the gi-ammar schools. Mrs. Bowden's daughter 
Emogene was a graduate at Denmark Academy, 
and commenced teacliingschool in Chicago in 1.^68, 
which position she still fills to the satisfaction of all 
concerned. 

Our subject and his wife are widely and favor- 
ably known throughout this section for their kindly 
deeds and truly Christian character, and have built 
up for themselves a good recf)rd during long and 
useful lives. 

AMEfS F.*MARR, of Ft. Madison, is success- 
fully engaged as a contractor and builder, 
and is one of the highly esteemed residents 

of this locality. He is a native of Terbet 

Township, Cumlterl.tnd Co., Pa., and was Ijorn Nov. 
10, 1M20. Lawrence Marr, his father, was reared 
in the county of his birth, Northampton, and after ■ 
his marriage removed to Cumberland County, be- 
ing among its earliest settlers. He spent the re- 
mainder of his days in the vicinity of Milton, dy- 
ing there in l^i40. The mother of our subject, be- 
fore her marriage was Miss Jane Farrar, of Hunter- 
don County, X. .]., and the daughter of James Far- 
rar, of Holland tlescent. The [jareTital family con- 
sisted of fourteen children, the subject of our 
sketch being the youngest born of the three now 
living. 

In 1S.51, when thirteen years of age, Mr. Marr 
determined to seek his fortune in the farther West. 
He set out via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, 
and landed at Ft. Madison on the lOth of ALiy. 
He commenced work here as a carpenter, and fol- 
lowed it succes.sfully for tiuee or four years as a 
journeyman, and then associated himself with Reu- 



ben Creps, pursuing this business with his partner 
for thirty-one years, when .Mr. Creps withdrew 
and retired from active business. .Mr. Marr the 
formed a partnership with Andrew S. Oaylord . 
with whom he is at present associated. They have 
been engaged upon the most important structures 
in this locality, and possess an enviable reputation. 

Mr. Marr wa.-s married, in 1847, to Susan Ilan- 
uau. of Wooster. Ohio. Mrs. Marr departed this 
life in 185.i, leaving a s(ju, James B. Marr, who 
married Miss Agnes ^\■|lite, and is now a farmer in 
Butler County, Neb. Mr. .Marr was married the 
second time, in l.S.5.5, to Miss Rosa una Han le^". .She 
was a native of Bath County, Va., and departed 
this life July 1, 1877, at the age of flft^'-seven 
years. 

Our subject's third marriage took place in 187i), 
when he w;us united with Miss Hannah Phares, of 
Ft. Madison, who was b(>rn Oct. 'ifi. 183(!. Her fa- 
ther was a surgeon in the Black Hawk War, and at 
the termination of the hidiau troubles, crossed the 
Mi-ssissippi at what is now Ft. Madison, in 1836, 
and purchased a tract of land which is now the 
present site of the city. Here, in company with 
Joseph Webster .and Mr. Cutler, he laid out a part 
of the city, and his time afterward, until his death, 
was mostly employed in pursuits of like character, 
during which he practically abandoned his profes- 
sion. He did not long survive his arrival in this 
section and was stricken down in the prime of life 
in 1842, at the age of thirty-eight. His wife had 
accompanied him to the West, and survived him 
for a period of twenty-four years, dying in Ft. 
Madison in 1870, at the age of sixty-nine years. 

Mr. Marr is Democratic in politics, and socially 
is a member of the I. O. O. F., belonging to Lodge 
No. 157 at Ft. Madison. His home is pleasantly 
located, and he numbers among his friends the best 
citizens of Lee County. 



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ABEZ T. CRANE, a highly respected and 
successful farmer of Montrose Township, 
owns and occupies a tine homestead, consist- 
ing of IGO acres of highly cultivated land 
and a handsome brick dwelling-house. Li addition 








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to the ordinary pursuits of aoriculture he is giving 
G much attention to the lireeding of high-grade cat- 
: tie and swine, and in liis various avocations is 
z meeting with success. His farm, which is located on 
5 section 24, presents one of the prettiest spots in the 
; landscape of this section, and is invariably observed 
with admiring eyes l)y tiie traveler through Lee 
H County. 

: Jabez T. Crane is a native of the Buckeye State, 
; having been born in Hamilton County, Jan. 11, 
; 1819. His parents were Obadiah M. and Elizabeth 
: (Shuler) Crane, natives of New York. The father 
: was born July 5, 1780, and departed this life in 
H Keokuk, Iowa, Feb. 5, 1852. He was a farmer by 
: occupation, and in politics an old-line Whig and 
: stanch admirer of Henry Clay. George Shuler, 
c the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born 
H about the year 1722, within twent}' miles of Vi- 
: enna, Austria, and emigrated to America in 17.50. 
E His death took place in New York in 1819, at the 
age of ninety-seven years. Mrs. Elizabeth Crane, 
our subject's mother, was born Feb. 3, 1778, and 
died Dec. 17, 1843. She became the mother of ten 
children, was tenderly devoted to her family, and 
was an earnest Christian woman, being an active 
member of the Presbyterian Church. The record 
of their familj^ is as follows : The eldest child died 
in infancy; John S. m.arried Adeline Jones; Phfebe, 
now deceased, became the wife of a Mr. Wilsey; 
Isaac B. was married to Minerva Laraway: George 
C. married Rebecca Baughman, and they are both 
now deceased; James died at the age of thirt^'-six 
years; Frederick married Miss Sallie A. Jacobs; 
Obadiah M. was married four times; his first wife 
was Miss Sarah Durland, the second Miss Teresa 
Franklin, the third Miss Nanc}' Branson, and his 
fourth and present wife was Mrs. Sophronia Bliss; 
he now lives in California. Mary A. is the widow 
of R. Durland, and resides at Flora, 111. ; Elizabeth, 
the youngest member of the family, became the 
wife of Dr. Solomon Jackson. 

Jabez T. Crane i-emained under the parental 
roof, receiving a common-school education and de- 
veloping into manhood. May 30, 1847, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Franklin, a 
native of Jackson County, Ind., born Aug. 28, 
1828. Mrs. Crane was the daughter of Anderson 



and Sally (Keller) Franklin, natives of East Ten- 
nessee. Her mother was of German ancestry, and 
departed this life Aug. 19, 1880, at the age of eighty 
years, having been born in the first year of this 
century. Her father is still living; the date of his 
birth was 1806. Their famil}' consisted of the fol- 
lowing children: Teresa, Mary A.. Blueford, Har- 
riet S. and George W. 

The household of Mr. and Mrs. Crane has been 
blest by the birth of nine children: Joiin W., Le- 
roy F., George A. and Harriet S., all of whom 
died some years ago; the next child, a son, was 
named Jabez T. Filsworth, after Col. Elsworth of 
war fame; E. E. is named after Edward liver- 
ett; Benjamin Otto is named after one of tliose 
present at the death of Abraham Lincoln; the 
youngest was a daughter named Addie May. 

Jabez T. Crane removed from Jackson County, 
Ind., after his marriage, and located in St. Charles 
County, Mo., in 1849. He remained there two 
years and then came to Iowa, locating in Jlontrose 
Township, Oct. 17, 18.51. He has been a man of 
prominence in his commuuitj- since first coming 
here and lias held the various township offices. His 
first i)residential vote was cast for Gen. Harrison. 
Upon the abandonment of the Whig party b^- the 
formation of the Republican party, he cordially en- 
dorsed the principles of the latter, and has hetni its 
stanch adherent since that time. He is a first-class 
farmer and stock-breeder, a thorough business man, 
and a good citizen. 



K??PS1 




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i^ILLIAM S. IVINS, of Keokuk, is largely 
engaged in the livery business, and is one 
of the most prominent among those simi- 
larly engaged in the Gate City. He was the pioneer 
liveryman of Lee County, and has proved himself 
peculiarly fitted for the business. Our subject 
came to Keokuk in May, 1841, from Burlington 
County, N. J. He has had a peculiar experience 
in life, and has suffered to the full of its reverses. 
He began at the foot of the ladder, when he had 
hardly passed beyond the jjeriod of boyhood, to 
mark out his future course. He had been trained 
to hal)its of industry and economy, and after com- 



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574 



LEE COUNTY. 



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ing to this pity accumulated eonsicleinblc means. 
In the grc-iil Hiinncinl crash of I.S;')7, in comnion 
with hnmlroils of others, he became lai-gely in- 
volved, antl on account of the great dei)rfSsion in 
value, practically lost the property whicii he iiad 
aecunnilated by the lal>ors and saving? of years. 

Tiie following year Mr. Ivins began running an 
omnibus line for his sister, and in due time pur- 
chased her interest in the business and oiierated it 
on his own .■iceouut, and not long thereafter had an 
income of $1,000 per month. This enabled iiim to 
cancel his debts and go on with his business, add- 
ing to it such improvements as were demanded by 
this age of progress and invention, lie now has 
one of the best omnitnis lines in the State of Iowa. 
His vehicles are always in fine running order, and 
his horses are first-class roadsters. He also runs a 
line of hacks, and provides tine accommodations 
for the best class of travelers. His livery property 
now consists of three stables, well stocked with 
horses, buggies, harness, and everything appertain- 
ing to his line of business. He also owns a good 
farm of 320 acres in a high state of cultivation, 
well stocked with high-grade cattle of the Short- 
horn breed, and the farm is equipped with a fine 
set of frame buildings and all the appliances neces- 
sary' for modern agriculture and stock-raising. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ivins have become the |)arents of 
three children : Eva N. is the wife of R. Jones, of 
Chicago; Lizzie G. and William S. are at home. 
Mr. Ivins owns and occupies a handsome residence, 
and the family are surrounded by all the comforts 
and many of the luxuries of life. The father and 
mother of Mr. Ivins departed this life in 1875 and 
1865 respectively. 




-<3=f4 



=H=^ 



'^/EREMIAH M. BRUMAGEM, a prominent 
and successful farmer, is carrying on the 
pursuit of agriculture on section 18, Mont- 
rose Township. He has been a resident of 
the Hawkeye State since 1868, and is the pos.sessor 
of eighty acres of finely- cultivated land, a good 
brick dwelling-house, comfortable barns and out- 
houses for the shelter of stock and the storage of 



grain, and is in the enjo^'ment of the fruii- •>( 
earlier toil and industry. 

Mr. I.rumagem is a native of Ohio, born in Cler- 
mont County, Aug. 29, ix'M). His [Kireuts were 
•lercmiah :uid Sarah (Canada) I5rnmagem, natives 
of Kentucky and Pennsylvania respectivel}'. The 
father departed this life when his son. the subject 
of our sketch, was but a small lad. in 1834. His 
motlier survived her husband forty-four years and 
died in Ohio in 1878. Tlic parental family' con- 
sisted of seven children, of whom tiie record is as 
follows: One child died in infancy, unnamed ; Elin- 
ore is now Mrs. Aldridge; Tliom;is married i\Iiss 
Ella John; .lohn K. married Miss Mary Temple, 
and his brother William also marric(l a Miss Tem- 
ple; .Mary became Mrs. ^\'eaver; Sarah, the j'oung- 
est child, died of consumption at the age of nine- 
teen years. 

Jeremiah M. Brumagem remained under the par- 
ental roof until he attained to years of manhood. 
He was united in marriage in Keokuk, Iowa, with 
Mrs. Matilda (Martin) Brown, Nov. 5, 18G8. Mrs. 
Brumagem is a native of Mrginia, born in 1 83.3, 
and came to Iowa with her parents when she was 
but a small child. They departed this life over 
thirty years ago. 

The household of Mr. and Mrs. Brown included 
six children, as follows: Ella became the wife of 
Albert I). Thomas; Charles H. married Miss Nora 
Kite; Addie married Mr. M. H. Frame; Mabel be- 
came the wife of Mr. John Kite; Mary and Will- 
iam .are deceased. The union of Jlr. and Mrs. 
Brumagem has resulted in the birth of three chil- 
dren — Lizzie M., Cora L. and Harry ^I. 

Mr. Brumagem came to Iowa in 1868, and made 
his first location in JNIontrose Township. He has 
been a prominent man in the community since com- 
ing here, and has enjoyed the full confidence of 
his fellow-citizens. He has held the office of Jus- 
tice of the Peace for two years, the duties of which 
he has performed with credit to himself and satis- 
faction to all concerned. He also occupied official 
positions in his native State, was elected Constable 
two terms, and in the general councils which are al- 
ways called together in every community, he has 
been a man whose opinions have been sought and 
uniformly respected. He has always been educated 



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in educational matters, receiving good advantages 
in liis youth, and pursued his primary- studies in 
the common schools, afterward attending college. 
He has been quite a traveler, and in 1861 crossed 
the Rock}' ^Mountains and for five years was en- 
gaged in mining in Marysville, Cal., and met with 
success, although he was exposed to many hardships 
and privations. After this experience he concluded 
to return home, and made the journey via the Isth- 
mus. 

Aside from the ordinary labors on the farm, Mr. 
Brumagem is Largely interested in the breeding of 
high-grade stock. Short-horn cattle, Poland-China 
swine and Norman horses. He also has some fine 
specimens of English draft horses, and his stock 
comprises some of the handsomest animals to be 
found in this section. 

As a farmer and business man, Mr. Brumagem 
IS one of the model citizens of Lee County, and his 
farm presents one of the most attractive spots in 
Montrose Township. In religious belief he is a 
Universalist, and seeks to faithfullv follow the 
Golden Rule. In politics he is Democratic. 

-^ ^-^ -^ 



EV. CHARLES F. WILLIAMS, Chaplain 
of the Iowa State Penitentiary at Ft. Madi- 
son, is the third son of Rev. William H. and 
J^Abbie L. (White) Williams. He was born 
in Will County, 111., Nov. 5, 1841, and came with 
his parents to Iowa when a lad of seven years old. 
He received his primarj' education in the common 
schools, and in 18.58 entered Williams College in 
Massachusetts for the purpose of taking a course in • 
the classics, and graduated from this institution in 
1862. He then taught school one year in Massachu- 
setts and two years in New York. 

In 1865 Mr. Williams returned to the West, 
where he engaged in the ministry, first in Illinois, 
and afterward became engaged in missionary work 
in Arkansas and Kansas. In 1873 he returned to 
Lee Countj', and took charge of the Ft. Madison 
Academy, and in May, 1875, was appointed Chap- 
Iain of the Penitentiary, which position he occupied 
until Sept. 1, 1878. He then took charge of the 
parish of Wapello, and in 1879-80 occupied the 




Chair of Natural Sciences at Denmark Academy. 
He then became pastor of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Mediapolis, where he remained until 
1884, and then took charge of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Keokuk. In 18«4-H5 he was 
General Secretary and City Missionary for the Y. 
M. C. A. of Keokidv, and was afterward General 
Agent of the National Non-Partisan League and 
State Temperance Alliance, and in April, 1886, was 
appointed to his present position. 

Rev. Charles F. Williams and Miss Mary Elinore 
Libby were united in marriage at Perry, 111., March 
14, 1871. Mrs. Williams is the daughter of L. T. 
and Elinore (Cousins) Libby, and was born in 
Perry, 111., Dec. 7. 1847. Of this union there has 
been born a son, Charles C. Mr. Williams pos- 
sesses a fine education, is talented and studious, 
and is fulfilling the duties of his position with credit 
to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. 





-4- 



B. KING. The subject of this sketch is a 
member of the prominent dry -goods firm of 
Lye & King, located at the intersection of 
^^ Main and Eighth streets, Keokuk. He is 
a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born July 16, 
1839. and is the son of .Tames and Anuie E. (.Sar- 
gent) King, natives of New York, where the father 
in earlier j'ears was engaged in agi'icultnral pur- 
suits. He settled with his family in Dearborn 
County, Ind., in about 1842, and there engaged iu 
farming, and there the wife, and mother departed 
this life in 1873. After the death of his wife he 
came to Keokuk, where his life terminated Feb. 
13,1885. They had a family of eight children, of 
whom the following are living: James, Maria, 
Rob B., Albert G. and Elizabeth. 

The subject of our sketch remained with his par- 
ents on the farm until twent3'-one years of age, in 
the meantime receiving a fair education at the 
common schools. Soon after he attained his ma- 
jority he engaged in general merchandising at Cold 
Spring, Dearborn Co.. Ind., and at the same 
time superintended a 400-.acre farm. After a num- 
ber of years thus spent he decided to go farther 
West, and in 1883 came to Keokuk, and in com- 



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panj' with ^rr. Lyp cnpraffcrl in the dry -goods l)usi- 
nesf. Tlu' honso hns Imiit up .-in excellent trade, 
and is well kimwii tliroiigiiout tliis section. 'It is 
conducted upon thoiiiugh liusiness principles, and 
the members <if the firm :ire noted as men <>f honesty 
and integrity. 

R. 15. King vva> unite<l in marriage with .Mis> 
Mary .1. Record in 18G1. :Mr>. iving is a native of 
Dearborn County, ind.. and the d.nugliter of 
Thomas and Ilann.'di Record, residents of the same 
county. Of this marriage there hnve been born six 
children, viz., Alice A., Elmer E.. Annie L.. Eflic 
T.. Ida M. and Roliert E. Alice is a tencher in 
Alexandria. Mo., and a graduate of Morris Hill 
College, of Indiana ; Elmer and Annie are engaged 
as clerks in their fnther's stfire. The handsome 
familj- residence is situated at No. stl6 Franklin 
street, and is the re.sort of many of the finest people 
in the city. Mr. King is a Republican in politics, 
and a member in good standing of the Methodist 
Church, of which he is a Steward and was formerly 
Superintendent of the Sabl)ath-sc!iool. He has con- 
tributed to every good work in his vicinity, and 
is recognized by all as a most valuable citizen. 





RS. ELIZABETH HATCH, an amiable 
\i\ and highly respected lady of Ft. Madison, 
[fc was born in Maine, on the 18th of May, 
1804. Her father, Andrew Scott, was a 
native of Scotland, and during the progress of the 
Revolutionary War enlisted in the navy as mid- 
shipman, and was subsequently promoted Lieuten- 
ant. He was captured off the coast of France, but 
was finally liberated, and assisted others to escape, 
and upon his return to England was greatly hon- 
ored, and was given the freedom of all English 
ships. After resuming his position in the navy his 
vessel was captured by an American privateer, and 
he and his men taken prisoners. The American 
Captain took him to his home in Newburyport and 
treated him with gre.at kindness. It was near the 
close of the war, and Lieut. Scott was so well 
pleased with this country and its people that he re- 
solved to become a citizen of the United States. 
He then engaged in the merchant service between 



the United States and the East Indies as commander 
of a vessel. After his marriage he made his home 
ill I'oithiiid. Me., and died there in 1 ><2.'i. 

.Mr>. lOlizabctli Hatch was reared and educated 5 
in the schools of her native city, and remained with jf 
lici' piiients until her marriage to Nathaniel Hatch,: 
who wa.s a native of Hnngor. Me., born in August. " 
I so -2. He studied I.Tw nnd was admitted t(^ the 
bar before he had fairly att:iincd m.'inliood 
1S74 he st;irted for the \\est, crossed the Missis- 5- } 
sippi. and came into Ft. Madison, where he re-3{:} 



In Bit} 



niained until his iloath in ^Inrc 



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Mr. and Mrs. Hatch became the parents of four s' } 
children — Edward. May E., Robert and Frank. STf 
Kdward. the eldest, was born at Bangor, Me., April i 
21, 18'2'.). and engaged as a soldier in the late war, 
serving with distinction, and is now a IMajor (jeu- 
eral by lire vet. He was a lirave and courageous q,:h 
soldier, and foremost at the post of danger. He -"^ 
was breveted Major (Tcneral for meritorious serv- i 
ices at the battle of Nashville, and p.articipated 
with his command in the various imiiortant engage- 
ments of the war, being at Shihih, Corinth, luka, 
Franklin and Nashville. He was wounded three oi- 
four times, imce very dangerously, at Missionary' 
Ridge, Tenn. At Nashville Capt. Hatch command- 
ed the 2d Iowa Cavalry, and was trusted with the 
important duty of turning Hood's left division. 
He received a dangerous gunshot wound through 
the right lung. After the close of the war and the 
re-organization of the array. Capt. Hatch w.is com- 
missioned Colonel, and served for a time in the 
Regular Army. He was married in Philadelphia, 
Pa., to Miss Eveline, daughter of Dr. Harrington, 
of the United States Navy. Of this union there 
have been born two children — Harrington and 
Bessie. Maj. (Jen. Edward Hatch and his family 
are now in Wyoming Territorj'. 

The second son of our subject, Robert, was born 
in Bangor, Me., Oct. 27, 1835. He is now a resi- 
dent of Ft. Madison, and represents the lumber 
firm of Joy & Co., of St. Louis; Frank, the young- 
est son, born in Bangor, May 15, 1837, was a youth 
when he came to Muscatine with his brother Rob- 
ert, and after remaining there a few years went to 
LaCrosse, Wis., .and engaged in banking. At the 
first call for volunteers he left his desk and enlisted 



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tT T»m injui_xi.i-UHitxj^tJcxie^: 

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ii| as a soldier in a Wisconsin regiment, and with his 

i|^ comrades participated in the first battle of Bull 

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Run, where he was twice wounded. After he re- 
turned from the arm^- he went to LaC'rosse and en- 
gaged in newspaper work. He lias been a promin- 
ent resident of that place, and served as City Mar- 
shal. 

The only daughter of JMrs. Hatch, iMary Eliza- 
beth, resides with her mother in Ft. Madison. Mrs. 
H. is Unitarian in i-eligious belief, and a lady i>{ 
most excellent traits of character. She has now 
S arrived at the advanced age of eighty-two years, 
I and is reveied and beloved by a large circle of 
;C friends and acquaintances. 



(JHN BOLEV, one of the honored pioneers 
of the Hawkeye State, came to this vicinity" 
in 1H48. He is the owner of 240 acres of 
land in Franklin Township, which constitutes 
[?i| his present homestead, and also has fortj' acres in 
^f§ Charleston Township. With the exception of forty 
}fS acres of timber, his laud is finely improved. The 
ij™ estate lies near the village (^f Donnellson. The 
farm is now under the managcnient of his son 
Frank. 

Mr. Bole^' is a native of Boyle County, Ky., and 
was born March 29, ISOV. His father, Isaac Boley, 
was of Pennsylvania parentage and birth, and went 
to Kentucky, wliere he formed a matrimonial alli- 
ance with Miss ^lar^' Gemison, of that State, who 
was descended from Scottish ancestrj". After their 
marriage and the birth of six children, they re- 
moved to Indiana, and located in Harrison County. 
There the parents remained until their (le.atli at an 
advanced age. 

John Bolcy remained under the parental roof, 
receiving a fair education in the pioneer schools, 
and after arriving at years of manhood was mar- 
ried, on the l.'>th of September, IHSI. t.o Miss Eliz- 
abeth Walk, a native of Harrison County, Ind. 
Her parents were natives of North Carolina, fi'om 
which .State they removed to Indiana and k)eated 
in Harrison County, where their lives terminated. 
.Mr. :ind Mrs. .lohn Boley have become the parents 



ill 



i 

Hi ; 




of twelve children, four of whom are deceased. 
Of those living, two of the sons and all of the 
daughters are married, and are named as follows: ili???'s 
C.itharine, Isaac, JIary, .James. Martha, Sarah, 
Nancy and Franklin ; the latter is unuiiirried. 

Our subject and wife came to Lee County in 
I?>48, and he soon after purchased his present home- 
stead, since whiclj time he has industriously labored 
to improve its beauty and value, in which he has 
been eminently suecessful. The farm is now pro- 
vided with a fine dwelling, a good barn, and all the 
necessary outhouses. Everything in and about the 
homestead denotes the abode of peace and com- 
fort. _ 

Mrs. Elizabeth Boley departed this life .luly 29, WW 
1884. With her husband she was a consistent W " - , 
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, iSf^' 
and faithfully performed all the duties of a wife l^ i'^ 
and mother. Mr. Boley is highly respected in lii.- 
community, and in politics is a liberal Democrat. 



A. MORRI.SOX, of Ft. Madison, is a mem- In] 
ber <.)f the firm of Morrison Bros., who are 
engaged in the m; 
implements. He 



m 



anufactnre of agricultural ^ ][ 

was liorn in Frankfort, ■ .w oL 

. 1842, and was but five I^^' 



Ross Co., Ohio, Aug. 31 

years of iige when he came to Ft. SUdison with 
his parents. He^was reared under the parental roof, 
educateil in the city schools, and at the .age of six- 
teen years commenced to clerk in a stove store. 

I'pon the breaking out of the w;ir our subject 
enlisted in Co. U, 7th Iowa Vol. Inf., in May, 18G1. pe| 
and was mustered in as a private. He performe<i [j ; j] 
his duties as a soldier in a faithful manner, and jjjiiiil 
served until the chjse of his term of enlistment, in Ijl -^ J 
September, 18G4. .Soon after his enlistment he wasj^c^ 
promoted first to Third Sergeant and later to First 
Sergeant, and in .luly, 1862, Second Lieutenant, p.,„ 
and in the spring of 1863 was given the rank of t"j 
First Lieutenant. The following year he was com- 
missioned Captain of Company 1). and was after- -^^^^ 
ward breveted Major and Lieutenant Colonel. He 
participated in the battles of Belmont, Ft. Henry, 
Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, luka, r 
and in various other general engagements, in all 



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numbering twenty-eight. His regiment was iinallj- 
ordered to join the army of Oen. Sherman, at Chat- 
tanooga, whence tliey marched to Atlanta, and en- 
gaged in the siege and capture of that city. Col. 
Morrison serving on the staff of (ien. K. W. Rice, 
commander of tlie 1st lirigade. 'id Divisimi. l.'ith 
Army Coips. 

After his return from the army, Col. Miirrisun 
was engaged in buying and selling live-stock, 
purchasing in the West and shipping U> Memphis, 
Tenn., and in IKCi."), in partnership with his father 
and brother, engaged in his present busine.ss, at 
which he has since continued. 

Col. Morrison was niai iip<l. in May, 1 S(I8, to Miss 
Tama, daughter of St('|)hen D.and Rebecca (Cutler) 
Espy, of Ft. JIadison. Of this union there have 
been born seven children — \'incent E., William J., 
Genevieve, Mabel, Maria. Helen and Luella. The 
Colonel is Republican in politics, and coimected 
with James B. .Sample P*)st, G. A. R. 



-^-^^- 



-^ 



f^RANK M. BALLINGER, a highly esteemed 
H^g] citizen of Montrose Township, occupies a 
_li line farm, locitcd on section UCi. The his- 

tory of his family has been an interesting and varied 
one. His father. Judge Frank Ballinger, Sr.. was a 
native of Knox Count}', Ky., who devoted himself 
to the profession of law, and diu'ing his early years 
practiced in the courts of his native State and be- 
came eminent as a jurist. lie was a friend of and ] 
a co-worker with Cassius INF. Cla^', who sought to ■ 
bring about the gradual emancii)ali(>n of slaverj'. 
The life of Judge Ballinger w.as frequently threat- 
ened b3' the pro-slavery men, because he was fear- 
less in his advocac}' of human freedom. Believing 
that the institution of slavery was wrong within 
1^ itself, and desiring to educate his children in a lo- 
ealit}' not subject to or under the inrtueuce of 
slavery, he decided to remove with his family to the 
State of Iowa. He proceeded westward, crossed 
the Mississippi, and located in Lee County, lovva. 
"ffjj'q He possessed large means for that time, and here 
purchased 2,000 .acies of land, situated directly on 
the banks of the Mississippi, between Keokuk and 
Montrose. Here, in 1856, he erected a line man- 



ii 





sion at a cost of 113,000. which he occupied with ; 
his family the remainder of his life. 

Judge Ballinger, when but a lad, served as a sol- 
dier in the War of 1S12, as a drummer boy. He 
was bright an<l auiliitious. and even in his earliest 
years gave promise of the position in life to which 
he afterward attained. In early manhood he was 
united in marriage with Miss Jane Adams, a Ken- 
tucky lady, who was born in 1813, and w.as the 
sj'mijathizer ot her husband in all the various pur- 
suits and difficulties of life, and departed tliis life §j;i 
Nov. 23, 18(5.5. Judge Ballinger survived her but Sjii 
five years, his death occuring Sept. 1.5,1870. They pi 
were the parents of thirteen children, live of whom Ihi 
died in infancy. The remainder grew to 3' ears of Bt-l 
maturity', and the record is as follows: John tiled sin 
in infancy; Randolph A. died at the age of twenty- pi 
three years; Cl-w and .leuuings died in childhood; Ki 
Susan lived until about the age of twenty-two, and 
died at her parents' home in Montrose Township, 
in 1855 or 185G. The others were Frank M., Web- 
ster, Sally. William, Jennie, Madison, Lucy and 
Adams. .Sall_y became the wife of Isaac Hollings- 
wortli, and is now deceased. For many years 
.ludgc liallinger enjoyed aii income of $10,000 per 
year from his [irofessional duties. He presided over 
the Circuit Court for eight years, in Kentucky, and 
was promiuentlj' known as a lawyer of more than 

ordinary merit throuarhont that section of the Kf 

fit I 
countiy. wti 

Frank M. Ballinger, the subject of this sketch, 
was born in Knox County, Ky., June 13, 1839. He 
remained with his parents until early manhood, re- 
ceiving careful home training and a good education 
in select schools, and after coming to this county 
his father employed a private teacher. He was 
married, Oct. 5, 1865, to Miss Florence A. Fazio, a 
lady of Spanish, French and English ancestry, who 
w.as born in W.ashington City, D. C, April 13, 1 842. 
Her parents were Lewis and America (Burch) 
Fazio, the former a native of Philadelphia, and the 
latter of Washington City. I). C. The parents of 
Mrs. B. attende(l carefull}' to her education, which 
was completed in the schools of Washington City, 
\). C. Their household consisted of three daugh- 
ters — Florence ; Ida, now deceased, was the wife of g^iC 
Maj. J. H. Butler, of the Gth Artillery, U. S. |!} 

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KZUixJLUTll 



army; the third was Marion Francis. They were 
S highly cultured people. Mrs. B. is connected with 
! the Episcopal Church, and is highly esteemed in 
the social circles of the community. 

At the age of twenty-two years Frank M. Hallin- 
ger, Jr., entered the service of the Government as 
clerk in the Treasury Department, and occuiiied this 
position for the following si.x years, or until July, 
1867. He finally became wearied with the confine- 
ment necessitated by his duties, and resolved to seek 
an occuijation which would secure to him more 
outdoor exercise, and accordingly, following in the 
footsteps of his father, sought the Western banks of 
the Father of ^Vaters and made his first location in 
Jefferson Township. He has been successful in his 
agricultural pursuits, and in addition to general 
farming, is giving much attention to the culture of 
the small fruits and berries, which yields him a fine 
income. He has always been a prominent man in 
his community. His possessions consist of 665 
acres of land, besides the fine mansion which was 
erected bj^ his lamented father. 

The household of Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger lias 
been blest lij' the birth of nine children, three of 
whom died in infancy. The living are Frank, Mir- 
iam, Ida, Webster, America and John. 



JOSKFH LOEFFLER, of Ke<jkuk, and junior 
member of the firm of Andrews c\r LoetHer, 
is engaged with his partner in the manufact- 
ure of all kinds of machinery, they being 
proprietors of the Western Foundry and Machine 
Shops, prominently located on Fourth street, and 
having their office at No. 225. Mr. LoefHer is a 
fine representative of that valuable German element 
which has assisted so materially' in the development 
of the business interests of the Havvkeye State. 

Our subject was born in Baden, March 14, 1834, 
and is the son of William and Luidgard (Wissert) 
Loeffler, both of German ancestry and nativit}'. 
William Loettler was engaged in his native country 
as a manufacturer in copper and brass, and was the 
inventor of the brass fire hand-engine, which became 
celebrated in his own country, and numbers of 
which were brought to the United States, he him- 



k 



self having sent one to Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1848. 
lie remained in his native country during his entire 
life, and died there in 1878. The wife and mother 
followed hei- husliand to the better land in I.sko. 
William Loelliei- was a man of great energy and in- 
dustr}-, and accumulated a large property, being 
the owner of a valuable foundry and several farms. 
He and his wife were prominent members of the 
(ierman Catholic Church. Their household included 
seven children, of whom Joseph was the eldest. 
The second child w.as a son, William, who lives in 
his native Germany, as also does Wilhelraine, now 
Mrs. Plank; Annie, Mi-s. Brag, is a resident of Au- 
burn, N. Y. ; Emily, Mrs, Schmidt, is in Germany; 
Constantine is engaged with his brother Joseph in t K 
the machine-shop, and the youngest child, Mary, rj^= 
still lives in her native laud. IUp^ 

Joseph Loeffler received a thorough education in 
his native land, and after this was completed was 
engaged in his father's foundry for six years and 
learned the trade of a coppersmith. At tiie .age of 
twenty years he resolved to come to the United 
States, and after a pi'osperous voyage, landed at 
New York City, whei'e he remained for six weeks. 
He then went to Buffalo, and from there to Louis- 
ville, Ky., where he spent two months, then pro- 
ceeded southwest to St. Louis, Mo., where he re- 
mained until the following year, then came to 
Keokuk and engaged in the Pennsylvania Foundry, 
with which he continued for eleven years. He then 
went into the Buckeye Foundry, and remained 
there for eight years, in tlie meantime accumulating 
sufficient means to start in business on his own 
account, erecting the present shop and foundry in 
l«80, atacost of *IO,000. The liuildings cover 
an area of four and a half good-sized lots, and the 
firm employs from ten to fifty-six men. Their 
manufactures ai'e of first-class descri|)tion,and com- 
pare favorably with anything of the kind in tlie 
United States. 

Joseph Loeffler and Miss Ellen Hirstcin were 
united in marriage at Ft. Madison, in 1858, and of 
their union there have been born four children: 
Amelia; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Frank, of Keokuk; 
Lena and William X. Mr. L. is inde|)endent in 
politics, and a member of the Knights of Honor. 
He is a charter member of the Conct)rdia Msenner- 



I 




LEE COUNTY. 



chor, of which he served two terms as President, 
and was re-elected in January. 1887. for the third 
term. Socially, as well as in a business point of 
view, he is considered :\ representative citizen of 
Lee County. 

^^ .^^ ^ 



(ACOB MENDENHALL (deceased), a pio- 
neer of Cedar Township, came to Iowa in 
the spring of liS38, from his native State, 
North Carolinii, in the meantime having- 
spent eighteen niontiis in Indiana. The entire 
journey from the far Southeast was made overland 
with wagons, one of which was drawn b}' four yoke 
of oxen, and the other by a team of horses. Our 
subject was accom|)auied by liis parents, and all 
their earthly possessions were packed in those 
wagons. In money Mr. .M. possessed about ?0(iO. 
The journey occupied about six weeks, and after 
arriving in Iowa the^' enjoyed the hospitality of 
jjl Lsaac Pidgeon, while their log cidjin was in jjrocess 
of erection. When this was near enough completed 
for occupancy they moved into it, in the month of 
.Inly. This building was constructed of peeled-hick- 
ory logs, and covered an area of Ki.xDs feet. Mr. 
Mendenhall entered 120 acres of land, and as soon 
as possible engaged in breaking the sod with his ox- 
teams, his eldest child, a daughter of about twelve 
jj ijj' years, often otliciating as driver. As there were 
{ [j no stables or lots in which to coutiue these animals 
dni'ing their leisure hours, when tormented with the 
heat or flies the}' would wander off to some slough, 
and wading in, proceed to rest and refresh them- 
selves, and persevered in this often against the ef- 
forts of their owner to get them to the plow again. 
After a fevv years Mr. Mendenhall entered the 
remaining forty acres of the homestead which is 
J now owned by his son John. He e.xperienced much 
} difficult}' in getting these entries made, as he was 
^ compelled to go on horseback to Burlington, a dis- 
tance of thirtj'-six miles. Upon several occasions 
he journeyed there only to find that the land-office 
was not to be opened until later. He made seven 
trips to Burlington and one to Fairfield before the 
business was finality completed. 





The wife of -Lacol) MendeuliMll. before her mar- 
riage, was Miss Susanna Moore, a woman of great 
energy and good sense. To tliem were born six 
children, who were bright and healthy, possessing 
all the good qualities of their parents. The little 
family were pursuing their waj' with courage and 
hope for the future, when they were visited by a 
calamity which materialh' changed the prosjjects 
and the disposition of Jacob Mendenhall. The wife 
and four children were attacked with intermittent 
fever, aud inside of ten dajs the mother, (me son 
about nine years of age. and two little girls, 
younger, looked their last upon the scenes of earth, 
and their remains were laid beneath the virgin sod 
at Salem. The child next to the youngest also suf- 
fered from the same illness, but recovered. It was 
the practice of physicians in those days to use des- 
perate remedies, and it is the belief of some that the 
blisters drawn across the stomachs of all these victims 
was the cause of their death. Then came sad and 
lonely times to the remaining members of the be- 
leaved famil}'. The eldest daughter, Emily, but 
fourteen years of age, was compelled to act as 
mother and housekeeper, and umst bravely .she per- 
formcil the duties which were thnsthru.st upon her so 
early in life. She remained with her father several 
years, and when her filial duties could be dispensed 
with was united in marriage with Lewis Thomas, who 
came to Iowa about the same time as her father. Of 
her two younger sisters, Khoda became the wife of 
Laban Pickard. ar.d Phiebe married Asa liatliff'. 

The second marriage of Jacob Mendenhall took 
l)lace two years and three months after the death 
of .Mrs. .M. He was this time united with Miss 
Kli/.abeth Davis, a maiden lady of great excellence 
of character, although pos.sessed of a limited edu- 
cation. She had assisted to support her widowed 
mother's family, and became a faithful wife to Ja- 
cob Mendenhall, and a good mother to his children. 
She understood all the arts of the day, such as spin- 
ning and weaving, both wool and flax, and cutting 
and making them up into garments. In those days. 
after the tax for one year had been paid, the family- 
made one of their first duties to begin and save to 
paj' for the 3' ear that was coming, although per- 
haps the sum would not exceed $5. The postage 
upon a letter in tho.se days was twenty-five cents, 



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LEE COUNTY. 




13C 

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aurl must be paid hy the recipient before he eoiild 
obtain the message. The anumnt required was 
lianded over cheerfully if it could possibly lie 
raised, as it was the unly means of commuiiicatiuu 
l>etweeu long separated friends. 

The first chimney' of the cabin occupied by our 
subject and his family was built of rocl< past the 
•■hips." and tlien finished by boards nailed to- 
gether, which reached above the top of the cabin. 
These stood upright for a few years, but fme luck- 
less day in winter, when the thr.ashers were at Mr. 
Mendenhall's, a blizzard came on which blew down 
the chimney and caused great discomfort on ac- 
count of the cold and snow. This, however, was 
only one among the many difficulties which the 
pioneers enct)untered, and for which they were 
full}' armed h^' courage and res<jlution to meet and 
overcome. 

A mail route from Salem to Ft. Madison was 
soon established, but the nearest gristmill was at 
Farmington, a distance of twentj'-two miles. Being 
far away from any s)jring of water our subject was 
compelled to haul water one mile for some time, 
but finallj' dug a slough well, which was soon fol- 
lowed by three more, and these supplied the much 
needed article. Schools were scarce and so far 
away that the children must board away from home 
in order to attend them. Game, such as wild tur- 
key, was plent}', and wolves prowled around in 
packs of six, eight and sometimes even ten. Gro- 
ceries were purchased at Ft. Madison, twenty-five 
miles awaj-, or traded for with dressed pork, wheat 
and other kinds of farm produce. People in those 
daj's were compelled to be satisfied with the com- 
forts of life, and not allow themselves to crave its 
luxuries. But the enemy which the pioneer mostly 
dreaded was the terrible prairie fire, in which home 
and stock were often swept aw.ay, and Mr. Men- 
denhall at one time narrowly escaped this loss. 

Of the second marriage of Jacob Mendenhall there 
were born four daughters and one son, all living at 
this date (1887), and named as follows : .Susanna, Sa- 
rah, John, Mary and Hannah. The first to marry was 
Sarah, who became the wife of Baskins Wheat- 
Five years later, on the 26th of September, 1873, 
John married Miss Jane Blackledge. a school 
teacher of Hardin County, Iowa ; their children are 



. tl^tTTTTIX. ■ I tTTTITTXDTXTT-j 



T rrrr tmiii 



mrr n n .»..........«l »i r-rrt 



Clyde. Zulu, Grace, Silvia. Belle and Mamie 
Louise. Hannah was next married. Lewis E. Barker, ^1j?S'r 
of C'orydim, Iowa, becoming her husband: Sue be- 
come the wife <)f .lohn Manley. f)f Tennessee, and 
Mary married J. .1. Carson, a hardware merchant of 
Mt. Krie, 111. 




J.TCob Mendenhall departed this life at his home e 
in Cedar Township. .Ian. 20, l«7;l His wife was 
crippled by a fall down a stairwaj^ while still in the 
prime of life, and was ever afterward a great suf- 
ferer, but patiently bore her trial? until .Tunc 7. 
l.sx.T, when her sufferings ceased and she folded 
liei' hands for her final rest. 

The interesting histciry of this family is closely 
identified with tliat of Lee County. Jacob Men- 
denhall. in common with his brother pioneers, as- 
sisted in the development and prosperity of this 
section bj- his own example of sterling worth, in- 
dustry and honesty, and encouraged a class of citi- 
zens who became an honor to the county and their 
own community. In this brief outline of his life. 
much of course has been passed over, for were his 
whole minute history given it would form an in- 
teresting volume. He was in all respects a good | ^g] 
citizen, and his name is held in kindly remembrance 
bj- a large circle of those whose parents labored 
with him, and to whom he was of material and 
neighborly assistance in the toils and struggles in- 
cident to the settlement of a new country. 



G. SAKGE. 
I and success 
_ Moines To 



G. SARGENT, Sr., is a representative man, 
successfull3' engaged in farming in Des 
'ownship. He is a native of the 
Old Ciranite State, born in Millfields Township, 
May 21, 1835. His father, Nicholas Sargent, was a 
farmer by occupation, a native of Massachusetts, 
and of stanch old New England family. He grew 
to manhood and was married in his native State; 
his wife was Miss Mary Ann Sawyer, who was born 
in Essex County, Mass. Shortly after their mar- 
riage. Nicholas Sargent and his yung wife settled 
on a small farm in Massachusetts, whence, a few 
years later they removed to the lumber regions of "^ 



■. i,\i..i..i - iirm 




iSSS 




> y^PL T i T i n P tT»f Olt l i ■ f If'lMj f l 



I ' l ■ 1 r k i 1 1 ■ i ) T i |w^ nr y ri f yJ^'ifiiirT 



A 1 1 j i i.ri;i nxxvi j jllj,i ^ ^ ^ m ^ i " 



LEE COUNTY. 



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New Hampshire, where Mr. S. engaged in the lum- 
ber liusine.«s. His iniiin idea, however, for sonif 
time, had been to acquire sufficient means to g<< 
West and est^ablish a home beyond the Missis- 
sippi. He was fairly successful in his business 
in the hnnber reuions, luit it toolc several years to 
accomplish the desired end, and in the meantime 
there had been born to tliem a family of twelve 
children, and it was not until after the birth of 
these that he found hinisi'lf able to undertake the 
expedition West. They made their first location in 
Clark County, Mo. The trip had been laboriously 
accomplished with teams and wauons, after the 
manner of travel and transportation in tiiose days. 
They only remained in Missouri for about two 
years, and then came into Lee County, settling on 
what was known as the " half-tireed " tract, and 
which, owing to the schemes of speculators, re- 
quired great i)atieuce on the part of the settlers to 
prove their claims and obtain a clear title. 

Mr. Sargent •• squatted " on 1 60 acres, section 
34, Des Moines Township, commenced farming 
with the four oxen which he had brought with him, 
and upon which was the main dependence of the 
family. During a severe storm three of these ani- 
mals were killed by lightning, which was a severe 
loss to the family at that time. The old pioneers, 
however, were made of stern stuff, and Mr. .Sar- 
gent was no exception to this rule, so he made the 
best of circumstances, and outlived his disa.ster as 
philosophically as possible. He secured other ani- 
mals and began the improvement and cultivation 
of his land, and was quite successful. He carefully 
hoarded the money which he attained by the sale 
of his croi)s, and was soon enabled to purchase addi- 
tional acres, and continued these pnrch.ases until he 
became the owner of more than 1,500 acres, which 
principally lay along the first bottoms of the Des 
Moines River, and is now occupied by his sons. 

Of all the land which Mr. Sargent purchased he 
never allowed but twenty' acres of it to leave the 
familj' while he w.as living. He was strong in his 
affections, and became greatly attached to his 
friends and neighbors. He was a stanch Union 
man during the war, and gave libcrall}' of his means 
to support the cause. He was Republican in poli- 
tics, and declined all the official appointments 



which were almost forced upon him. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Sargent were identified with the Morman 
Church until the Joseph Smith trouble at Nauvoo, 
III., when they withdrew from that association. 
Nicholas Sargent departed this life .July 1. 1«78, 
and the mother in April, ISHf). 

O. (i. Sargent was the twelfth of his parents' 
family of thirteen children, six sons and seven 
daughters, of whom five sons and three daughters 
are yet living. He was l)ut a year old when his 
l)arent> cnmc to this county, and he remained under 
the jiarentnl roof until he was twenty-one jears of 
age. Three years previously, however, he had mar- 
ried, and begun farming on his own account. The 
maiden name of his bride was Miss Hannah Smith, 
and the^' were married Sept. 1. 1861, in Des 
Moines Township. The parents of Mrs. Sargent 
were William and Mary (McKee) Smith, both na- 
tives of Kentucky, where thej^ were married and 
whence the^' soon removed to Indiana. Thence 
they crossed the Mississippi and came into Iowa, 
settling in Des Moines Township, where their 
daughter, Mrs. Sargent, was born Aug. 24, 184L 
She was the youngest of a famil_y of nine children, 
three sons and six daughters, one of the latter only, 
beside Mrs. Sargent, still living. The father of the 
family was removed bj' death when Mrs. Sargent 
was a young girl of twelve j'ears, and she lost her 
mother in the fall of 1863. With the exception of 
five years Jlrs. S. has been a contmuous resident 
of this township since she was born. B3' her union 
with our subject she became the mother of five 
children, onlj' two of whom are now living, 
namely: Mamie, born May 21, 1871, and O. G., 
Oct. 14, 1880. The deceased are Cyrus C, who 
died at the age of eight years; Fannie, at the age 
of six years, and Adelbert, at the age of fourteen 
months. 

Mr. Sargent settled upon his present farm eight- 
een months after his marriage. It now contains 
205 acres, and with the exception of five years 
spent in Keokuk, this has remained continuously 
his home since his first settlement upon it. He owns 
considerable property in Keokuk, on Eleventh and 
Franklin streets. He also has a tract of 120 acres 
iu another part of Des Moines Township, eighty 
acres of which are in timber. He is considered one 



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of the representative lueii of this section, and is a 
niemljer in good standing of the A. F. & A. M., 
Yates City Chapter No. 7, and Eagle Lodge No. 
12, both of Keokuk. He has been honored with 
the local ofllces of his towuship, and in politics is a 
solid Republican. 



■illACOB HAFFNER is one of the most exten- 
sive landed proprietors in Lee County, and 
for many long years has been successfully 
(^// engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 
20, Franklin Township. He is a native of this 
county, and was born in West Point Township on 
the 25th of September, 1840. His father was a 
farmer by occupation, a native of Germany, and 
came to the United States in 1833, when a young 
man. After reaching American shores he went di- 
rectly to Mansfield, Ohio, where he remained for 
three years, and then, crossing the Father of Wa- 
ters, came into Iowa while it was yet a Territory. 
He located on a tract of unimproved land in West 
Point Township, when the Indians were more nu- 
merous than the whites, and at once set about the 
improvement of his purchase, soon afterward being 
married. He remained here until 1861, when, with 
his family, he removed to Franklin Township, and 
located on a prairie farm of 728 acres on section 
20. This was partly improved, and the father of 
our subject remained upon it until the close of his 
life. 

We here briefly sketch the history of Peter Haff- 
ner, the grandfather of our subject, who was a man 
of great force of character and prominent in his own 
country. He was a German Protestant in a Jewish 
settlement, and during his early life was possessed 
of a large property, but through the connivance of 
the Hebrews, lost his possessions and became a 
poor man. He finally emigrated to the United 
States and died here. His son Frederick, the father 
of our subject, came to this country with a family 
by the name of Krebill, who paid his passage, and 
for whom he afterward worked one yeav and six 
weeks, which they considered equivalent to the 
sum of *28, the amount of his passage money. It 
will be easil}' conjectured that at this rate his serv- 




i^ 



ices were rather poorly rewarded, but although the [ J^^ 
prospect was discouraging at the outset, young i sSSv 
Haffner persevered, and fulfilled his agreement to 
the letter. For the second j^ear's wages, in the em- 
ployment of another party, he received 150, which 
was quite an improvement on the former salary 
While with his latter employer, Mr. Hildebrand 
his father was derisively spoken of as a man who, 
with little provocation, had signed away his birth- 
right. This greatly angered Frederick, and he 
forthwith severed his relations with the Hilde- 
brands, and started out independently for the 
West. He was prospered in his undertakings, but 
was not married until thirty-five years of age. The 
lady of his choice was Miss Barbara M. Faith, a 
German lady who came to the United States and 
located in Iowa at the age of tweutj'-four years. 
She is still living with her youngest daughter on 
the old homestead. Tlie parental family consisted 
of eight children, three of whom are deceased. 

Jacob Haffner is the eldest living child of the 
five survivors of his father's family, and was the 
second in order of birth. Before the deatli of his 
father the latter had accumulated a fine property 
and become noted throughout his section for his 
energy, enterprise and steady perseverance. He 
was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and 
with his wife belonged to the Presb3'terian Church, 
and assisted in the establishment of the Presbyter- 
ian Theological Seminary at Dubuque. He pos- 
sessed peculiar views in regard to the temperance 
question, believing in low license, but bitterly op- 
posed to the excessive use of intoxicating drinks. 
He was also opposed to secret societies, believing 
they had their origin among wicked men. While 
in West Point Township he was located only one 
mile north of the si)ot where two of his eountr^^- 
men were murdered by the IMormons in 1845. His 
death occurred at his home in this township on the 
27th of February, 1874. In spite of his many pe- 
culiar traits of character as judged liy some peo- 
ple, lie was greatly respected, and his neighbors had 
abundant faith in his honesty and integrity. 

Jacob Haffner, our subject, was reared on his 
father's farm, and received a fair education in the 
district schools. After iirriving at years of man- 
hood he w.-is married, in Franklin Township, to 



' rTnriLTtmtmurTiit JTJ 







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Louisa Vonikahl, who was of German parentage 
and ancestry. Her parents were natives of Han- 
over, and after emigrating to this countr}', came to 
Lee County, and locating in Franklin Township, re- 
mained there until the close of theii- lives. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ilaffner are the parents of five 
children — Orlie, Clara, Peter, Louisa, and an in- 
fant unnamed. They occupy a comfortable farm 
dwelling, and Mr. H. has good barns and out- 
houses. The homestead comprises eighty acres of 
land, the larger part uf which is improved, and the 
balance is tiniJier. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics the sub- 
ject of our sketch is independent. The portraits of 
the father and mother of our subject, Frederick and 
Maria Haffner, appear in connection with this 
sketch. 

■il/OHN MENDENHALL, a leading farmer of 
Cedar Township, comes from excellent an- 
cestry, and possesses in a marked degree the 
qualities of honor and honesty which distin-' 
guished his forefathers. He is a native of this 
county, his birth having occured in Cedar Town- 
ship on the 25th of June, 18.50. His father, Jacob 
Mendenhall, was a prominent pioneer of the county, 
and an extended sketch of him maj' bo found else- 
where in this volume. 

John Mendenhall was reared on the home farm, 
received his primary education in the district 
schools, and attended A^^litt^er College, Salem, two 
terms. He has alwa3's lived on the old homestead, 
and was never sep.arated from his parents until their 
death, with the exception of three years which, on 
account of ill-health, he spent as a traveler in the 
employ of the American Tract Society. 

The marriage of Mr. Mendenhall and Miss Jen- 
nie Blackledge occurred at Union, PLirdin Co., 
Iowa, Sept. 29, 1874. Mrs. M. is a n.ative of 
Salem Township, Henry Co., Iowa, and was born 
Sept. 29, 18.53. Her father, Charles Blackledge, 
was a native of Ohio, and at an early day crossed 
the Mississippi and located in Salem Township, 
where he still lives. In early manhood he was mar- 
ried to Miss Hannah Heard, a teacher, and a native 



of his own State, who departed this life when the 3 
subject of our sketch was yet an infant. 

Mr. and Mrs. M. have five children — Clyde, 
Zula, Gracie, .Silvia Bell and Mamie Louise. They 
are connected with the Friends' Church, and in poli- 
tics Mr. M. is strongly Republican. 



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'OSEPH A. NUNN, a resident of Washing 
ton Township, is the proprietor of 100 acres : 
of good land where he has a comfortable : 
dwelling and convenient farm buildings. 3 
He was born in Marion County, Ind., March 12, %{ 
1S41, and came to Iowa with his parents when but 3' i 
an infant. He received a common-school educa- cifn 
tion, and grew to manhood accustomed to niercan- 5 
tile pursuits. He subsequently engaged in insur- j 
ance and for two years was the partner of Charles 
E. Babcock, engaged in the grain trade. 

Mr. Nunu served four j'cars as Deputy' Sheriff of 
Lee County, and was then elected Sheriff, holding 
this position two terms. At the expiration of this 
time he returned to the insurance business, becom- 
ing State Agent for the Connecticut Fire of Hart- 
ford. He was married in 1866, to Miss Elizabeth 
C, daughter of Thomas and Mary Espy, and a na- 
tive of Franklin, Pa. Of this marriage there were 
born ten children, as follows: John E., Ralph A., 
Mary L., Emma Josephine, Thomas E., Elizabeth 
C, Joseph A., Edgell, May L., Louis. 



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ETER OKELL, of Ft. Madison, is a native 
of Cheshire, England, born Jan. C, 18;M, 
and the son of Peter and Martha (Corker) 
Okell, also natives of the British Empire. 
Our subject received but a limited education, and 
when only eleven years of age went on board a 
ship as a sailor boy. He learned a large jiart of his 
duties on the Mediterranean Sea, and subsequently 
sailed into ports in East India and Australia, and 
finally sailed around the world. He was a bright 
and .ambitious lad, and the general favorite of the 
ship's compau}-. He became Third Mate of the 
vessel at an e:irly age, and while in Australia was 



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LEE COUNTY. 



made Master of :i coasting schoiinev. He followed 
the sea for thirteen years, and then, while at New 
Orleans, took a trip up the Mississippi River to 
IJenraark, Lee Co., Iowa, where he had a friend 
living. lie also at this time entered some land in 
Cass County wliich, however, he never occupied. 

In 185.5 Mr. Okell made a voy.age from New 
York to Liverpool, returned, and the following year 
repeated it. He then entered the emplo}' of Col. 
Gustave Bracket, who was engaged in the nurserj' 
business at Denmark, Iowa. Three 3'ears later he 
went to Kansas and opened up a farm, but as this 
w.as during the time of the Kansas-Nebraska trouble 
he onh' remained in that vicinity one year. In the 
meantime he was afflicted with fever and ague, and 
took a trip to Europe for his health. After his re- 
turn to Lee County he was appointed guard in the 
Iowa State Penitentiary at Ft. IVIadison, which 
position he occupied about one j'ear, fulfilling its 
duties with great credit to himself and satisfaction 
to all concerned. 

Peter Okell and Miss Martha D. Atlee were 
united in marriage Jan. 29, 18G0. Mrs. Okell is 
the daughter of J. C. and Emilj' S. (Brooks) Atlee, 
and was born at Ft. Madison in 1840. Soon after 
their marriage Mr. Okell entered the employ of S. 
& J. C. Atlee, father and son, who are now carry- 
ing on an extensive lumber business at Ft. Madi- 
son. He remained with the firm until about 18G2, 
and after the breaking out of the late Civil War. 
He then enlisted in the United States Navy, was 
appointed Ensign, and ordered to report to Commo- 
dore Penock. He was soon afterward promoted to 
the rank of Lieutenant and made the Commodore's 
executive otHeer. Commodore Pennock was sub- 
sequentlj' transferred to another command, and 
Lieut. Okell became the executive oflicer of Com- 
modore Livingston, with whom he remained until 
the close of the war. 

After his return from the naval service Mr. Okell 
again entered the employ of Messrs. S. & J. C. At- 
lee. In 18G.5 he became a member of the firm, and 
purchased a sawmill at Stillwater, Minn., having 
charge of the same for the following three years, 
at the expiration of which time the C(jmpany sold 
out and dissolved partnership. The two Atlees, 
father and son, then became associated together in 




business, and Mr. Okell has since that time been 
one of the trusted employes of the firm. 

Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Okell there 
have been born five children — Charles L., Frank 
A., Emeline B., .John A. and Sadie M. Mr. Okell 
has given each of his children a fair education and 
caused his sons to learn a useful trade, thus provid- 
ing them with something substantial with wliich to 
start upon the voyage of life. 

Mr. Okell is a remarkably intelligent and well in- 
formed gentleman, and has fuU^' improved his large 
experience in life. He has seen many strange 
sights and curious people in his journe3's over the 
face of the globe, .and his experiences if related 
would fill a volume. He is highly esteemed in this 
vicinity as a business man and a citizen. He is a 
member of Stella Lodge No. 440, A. F. & A. M.; 
Washington Chapter No. 17, R. A. M.,at Stillwater, 
Minn., .and Dam.ascus Commandery No. 5, Knights 
Templar of Keokuk, Iowa. He is also a member 
of the I. 0. O. F., and is at present commander of 
James B. Sample Post No. 107, G. A. R. 




'jfJAMES W. CAMPBELL, a resident of Ft. 
Madison, is a native of Missouri, and was 
born in Lewis County, June 17, 1825. His 
great-grandfather, Robert Campbell, emi- 
grated to America in 1657, making the voyage as 
Captain of a whaling-vessel. He settled in Con- 
necticut and remained there until his death. His 
son, Moses, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
and after the independence of the colonies was es- 
tablished, settled at Utica, N. Y. Isaac R. Camp- 
bell, the father of our subject, remained with his 
parents until he was eighteen years old, and then 
started out with the intention of pursuing a sea- 
faring life. Circumstances, however, induced him 
to change his pl.ans, and he went to Pittsfield, Mass., 
and finally engaged as a laborer on the Erie Canal. 
From there he went to Pennsylvania, and thence 
to Wellsville, Ohio. After a time he shipped as 
cook on a keel-boat on the Ohio River, which oc- 
cupation he followed for a time, and then became a 
"jack of all trades." In 1823 he married, and 
settled on a farm, and two years later loaded his 
household goods on two canoes and paddled to the 
present site of Nauvoo, where he engaged in keep^ 



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ing a board iug-house, spending a part of each year 
in the lead mines of Galena. Five j'ears later he 
sold out his property at Naiivoo, and came to J^ee 
County, and in the spring of the following year re- 
moved to the present site of Keokuk, and in com- 
jiany with Dr. S. C. Muir, engaged as an In- 
dian trader. 

In 1834 Mr. Campbell appealed to Hon. Spaidd- 
ing, the Member of Congress from Pennsylvania, 
to secure tlie passage of an act to enable half-breeds 
to sell their lands, and two years later organized 
the St. Louis Land Com|>Mny. He also sold a part 
of his landed interests in Keokuk, which consisted 
of a jiolato patch of a few acres, and in 1838 sold 
his remaining interest in the lialf-breed tract to a 
man named Knight and Josepli Smith, the Mormon 
I'rophet, the stipulated price being |il 4,000. They 
paid him 12,000 down, and gave their notes for the 
balance. He toolv no mortgage and the notes were 
never paid. Mr. C. still holds them as souvenirs of 
another age. At this time, in consequence of the 
anti-slavery feeling in Iowa and the agitation 
subsequent, Mr. Campbell removed to St. Francis- 
ville. Mo. 

Our subject, in his younger daj's, devoted his 
time to catching fish and drifting logs, and subse- 
(picntly became a pilot on tlie river. This latter 
business seemed one for wliich he was peculiarly 
fitted, and he became verj- skillful, after a time be- 
ing promoted master of tlie steamer " Badger 
State, " and suljsequently commanded some of the 
(inest Ijoats plying the Father of Waters. He built 
and commanded the steamer '• Rock Island, " and 
after abandoning the river business became exten- 
sively engaged trading in grain from the years 
1872 to 1874, during which he built several ware- 
houses on the B. cV: S. W. R. R. in Van Buren, Da- 
vis and Appanoose Counties. 

James W. Campbell was married in 1849, to 
Miss Kliza J. Eversole, and of this union there have 
been born three sons, viz., J. W., Jr., B. H. and J. R. 

ASHINGTON G ALLAND, one of the most 

prominent lawyers in Lee County, and 

wliose [tortrait we present on the opposite 

)age, is a resident of Montrose, and enjoying an 



extensive practice in that locality. He is a close 
student, well read in his profession, of whieli lie i.- 
an able representative. He is the son of Is.aac ami 
Hannah (Kinney) (hilland, natives of ]\Iarylaiiil 
and Ohio, respectively. Isaac Galland was Ihhii in 
May, 1790, while his parents were on their j()uriie\- 
by wagon from K<jrf(ilk, Va., to Jlarietta, Ohiu. 
After a residence in Ohio of several 3'ears the fa- 
ther of our subject removed West and became one 
of the earliest pioneers of Lee Cimnty, and one of 
the most noted men of those early days. 

He made his first settlement on the Mississippi 
River at an Indian trading establishment at the 
Lower Yellow Banks, now Oquawka, Henderson Ci 1.. 
111., aljout the spring of 1820. There he located 
and remained until about July, 1827, when, on ac- 
count <if threatened hostility by the Indians, he re- 
moved with his family down the Mississippi River, 
stopping and camping over night on what is now 
Iowa soil, at a point near the present location ( if 
Atlee's Mills, and two or three hundred yards from 
the monument marking the place of his burial in 
the cemetery at Ft. Madison; thence to Commerce, 
now Nauvoo, 111. There he left his family wilii 
his father-in-law, Peter Kinney, crossed the river lo 
the point near (iuard Jxtck, now ( ialland Post-Offlce, 
Lee County, where, with the aid of men employed 
for that purpose, he cut logs and built houses for 
the accommodation of his family and for his store 
or trading-post. To these he removed with his 
family and his stoclv of merchandise, Sept. 24, 1827. 
He was a strong personal friend of Dr. Muir's, who 
located at Keokuk some time jirevious. 

Isaac Galland had previously- studied and prac- 
ticed medicine in Fulton County, III, and else- 
wliere for several j-ears, and began its [jractice in 
Lee County in 1827. At a Later date he prac- 
ticed medicine successfully as well as accept- 
abl3' in Hancock County, 111., and in Lee County, 
Iowa. He enjo3'ed to a remarkable degree the 
confidence of his patrons. He was especiallj' suc- 
cessful in his treatment of diolora and prevent- 
ing the spread of epidemics tiirougli the county. 
"Dr. (ialiaiid's Family Medicines," inscribed on a, 
wooden case about twentj' by twelve inclies in size, 
painted red, and containing tlio usual and simple 
remedies in vogue at the time for the diseases and 



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accidents most prevalent or common among the 
early settlers of the country, was, between the years 
1833 and 1.S39, to l)e found in almost every cabin 
and liome of settlers within a radius of thirty to 
fifty miles from Ah-wi-pe-tuck, both in Illinois and 
Iowa. It constituted a very important part of the 
domestic economy of every household, as many of 
the surviving pioneers of that time testify. 

Dr. Galland had brought his wife and infant son, 
Washington, with him, and established a home at 
what was tiien called Ah-wi-pe-tiiclc, a name sig- 
nifying the head of the rapids or cascades on the 
Mississippi River between Keolcuk and Montrose. 
The village is now called Galland Post-Office, and 
by the Government worlvs it is called the Guard 
Lock, and the railway station adjacent is Nashville. 
The wife of Isaac Galland died at his home March 
17, 1831. 8he was of Holland extraction, and her 
husband, the father of our subject, was of Scotch 
descent. Isaac Galland departed this life Nov. 28, 
1858. 

Dr. Isaac Galland was prominently identified 
with the early history and settlement of tlie 
," half-breed track " in this county, as one of the 
Trustees and the General Agent of "The Des 
Moines Land Association," or " New York Com- 
pany," as it was generally called. He caused to be 
surveyed, platted and named, the city of Keokuk; 
gave the names to its principal streets, parks, etc., 
and while he "sowed that others might reap" 
largely, neither he nor his associates realized the 
hopeful anticipation of great wealth from their in- 
vestment, and the failure in this regard may be 
reasonablj' attributed to .n natural cause, i. e., mu- 
tual distrust and disagreement among themselves. 

Dr. Galland and wife became the parents of three 
children, one of whom died in infancj^ unnamed. 
Eleanor, who was born at Ah-wi-pe-tuck, Feb. 4, 
1830, was undoubtedly the first child of white par- 
ents born in the territorj^ now called Lee County. 
She became the wife of J. Thornburg and lives 
near Ottumwa, Iowa. She has by a former hus- 
band, Capt. Isaac McPherson, four children liv- 
ing. Washington, the subject of our sketcli, was 
boru July 20, 1827, either near Commerce, Han- 
cock Co., 111., or at Oquawka, or tlie Lower Yellow 
Banlts, Henderson Co., 111.; the family records be- 



ing lost or destroyed, Mr. Galland is not positive 
concerning tlie exact place of his birth. He grew 
to manhood on tlie river, hunting, fishing and 
swimming with his pl.aymates, who were, often 
the half-breeds of tiie Sac and Fox Indians. 
He received his primary education in company 
with his fellow student, Capt. James W. Camp- 
bell, of Ft. Madison, in the log school-house, 
with its window-panes of greased paper, its floor 
of puncheon and its desks of slabs, siipi)orted by 
poles driven into the logs. His first teacher was 
Benjamin Jennings, who is now living in Oreo-on 
Territory at an advanced age. The incidents of 
the early life of Mr. Galland, as related by him, 
would compose an interesting volume. 

Mr. Galland commenced the study of law at his 
father's house under the instruction of Stephen W. 
Powers, a talented lawyer from Ohio, who made his 
home with Dr. Galland at Keokuk, when he was 
but a boy, and took a course of reading in the office 
of Coleman & Simmons at St. Louis, Mo. He re- 
turned to Iowa in 1856, and afterward entered the 
office of Rankin & Miller, at Keokuk, and, after a 
thorough course of study, he passed examination 
and was admitted to practice on the 19th of Feb- 
ruary, 1859. He was afterward admitted to the 
Federal Courts, and has practiced in the States of 
Illinois, Missouri, California and Iowa. " In the 
meantime," he says, " he has swam in luxury at 
times and then again been reduced to what the 
coal miner would call bed rock." He has witnessed 
remarkable changes since his boyhood days, and 
the comparison between the scenes amid which he 
passed his youth, and those now witnessed, seems 
more like a dream of the night than solid reality. 

Mr. Galland has always enjoyed in a marked de- 
gree the confidence and esteem of his fellow-towns- 
men, and they liave honored him with the various 
offices within their gift. In addition to having 
filled the minor offices of his town and township, 
in 1803, he was elected as a member of the Gen- 
eral Assembly of Iowa, and served one term, after 
which he was renominated by the Republicans, but 
was defeated with the balance of his ticket. 

When only nineteen years of age he enlisted in Co. 
A, 3d Rgt. Missouri Mounted Volunteers, in the 
War with Mexico; went overland to Santa Fe, 




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thence down the Rio Grande with the invading 
army under the command of Gen. Sterling Price 
into Old JMexico, where he served until the close 
of the Wai-, and was honcirablj^ discharged at In- 
dependence, Mo., on the return of his regiment to 
that State. 

At the outbreak of the Ivchclliou, Mr. (ialland, 
laying aside his personal and business interests, de- 
cided to devote his services to assist in the preserv- 
ation of the Union. He raised a company of vol- 
unteers and organized them as Co. H, 6th Iowa 
Vol. Inf., of which he was given the command as 
Captain. It mustered at Camp Warren, near Bur- 
lington, on the 17th day of July, to serve for three 
years or during the war. On account of ill-health, 
Capt. (Jalland, two years later, was obliged to re- 
sign his commission. He had been captured at 
Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and was held a prisoner for 
seven months. This tedious confinement and the 
privations which he endured, the lack of proper 
food and clothing, brought about a debility from 
which he was a long time recovering. 

Mr. Galland was initiated, passed and raised to the 
sublime degree of a Master Mason in Joppa Lodge 
No. 136, at Montrose, Iowa, and presided in the 




East for some two terras. He also belonged to a 
lodge in Missouri. He took an active part in re- 
organizing lodges after the close of the war. He 
was exalted to the Royal Ai'ch Chapter Degree at 
Keokuk, which was called Gate City No. 7, and 
also became a Knight Templar of Damascus Cuni- 
manderj' at Keokuk. He has now demittcd from 
all these secret bodies; he holds his demits and is 
a non-afliliatcd member, but remaining an honor- 
ary life member of >St. John Commandery, K. T. h 
K. M.. of Springfield, Mo. He is also a member of 
the orders of K. of P. and (x. A. R. 

In August, 1885, Mr. Galland was elected Presi- 
dent of the Pioneers and Old Settlers' Association, 
and re-elected the following year. He has dis- 
charged the duties of this office with great credit 
to himself, and to the satisfaction of the members 
of the association, and has been chosen to deliver 
the annual address on several occasions, his audi- 
ences usually aggregating 12,000 people. He is a 
gentleman of more than ordinary' intelligence, an 
extensive reader and well informed, and is one of 
the leaders in every worthy enterprise taken in 
hand by his community. 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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INTTRODUQT^ORY. 



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Breathes there the man with soul so dead, 
Who never to himself hath said, 
'This is my own, my native land." 




;F0RE taking up the history 
of the settlement of Lee 
County, it has been thought 
proper to give a brief ae- 
connt of the discovery, and 
the succession of govern- 
ments, of which the terri- 
tory has been under, that is 
now embraced by the State of Iowa, 
and of which this county forms so im- 
portant a factor. Passing over the 
Mound-Builders, of whom we know 
l)ut little, and the Indians, of whom 
it has been the general disposition of 
the white race to know less, the first 
man to discover and set his foot upon 
the soil of Iowa was Father Jacques 
Marquette, who, with his companions on 
a voyage of discovery, under the auspices of the 
French Government, having passed through Can- 
ada, left the southern extremity of Green Bay, and 
in their frail canoes ascended Fox River to its head- 
waters. From there they carried their canoes 
across to the Wisconsin River, launched their boats, 
and floated down the stream, entering the Missis- 
sippi June 17, 1673. Father Marquette continued 
his sail down the majestic river, with joy unsur- 
passed and inexpressible at the beautiful country 



.iS 



lying on either shore. June 21, he made a landing 
on the west bank, where he discovered a trail, made 
by human feet, which he followed. This led him 
across a beautiful meadow into an Indian village 
on the Des Moines River, some six miles from the 
present site of the city of Keokuk. The voyagers 
were warmly received bj' the Indians, who regarded 
them as coming from a new world. Father Mar- 
quette remained with these n.ative children, the 
mini tribe, whose language he understood, and who 
treated him with the most distinguished kindness 
and attention, several days, and then bidding them 
an affectionate farewell he took his departure, pro- 
ceeding down the Mississippi until he became satis- 
fied of its flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. 

Thus Iowa, the " Beautiful Land," was first dis- 
covered. Over 100 years passed before it was oc- 
cupied or settled by the white man. The first was 
a French adventurer named Julian Dubuque, who is 
supposed to have obtained his knowledge of this 
country from Father Marquette. Dubuque made 
a claim, and commenced work in the lead mines, 
near the present site of the city which bears 
his name, in 1788. This was the first settlement 
made in the territorj' now occupied by the State 
of Iowa. It was at this time under the do- 
minion of Spain. For a century France claimed 
the country discovered by Marquette, -when it was 



m 




■ ■'xn n r njuu-x nn 



- tunxxxi 




)98 



LEE COUNTY. 



ICTXXtAJlTXa 



Si^ti 



ceded to Spain. In 1801 it was ceded back to judirial purposes. In 1 807 Iowa was organized with p[ 

France. Jn 180;3, Napoleon Bonaparte, then First 1 the Territory of Illinois, and so remained until B|} 

Consul of Frnnce, ceded this territory to the United ' >^' •' "Koh ;f f,.,.,„fwi .i i,o,-i ..f Af;^;;, >...-; 'r«....;f,>..,- *!' 
States. The following yenr the Ixiiuidary line be- 
tween the upper :md lower territory of the Mis- 
sissippi N'allcy was established. The lower country 



was called the Territory of New tJrleaus, and the 
upper the District of Louisiana, in which the ter- 
ritory comprising the States of Arkansas, ^Missouri, 
Iowa and Minnesota was contained, and which was 
attached fo the Territory of Indiana for political and 




itory 
1812, when it formed a jiart of IMissouri Tprrlti>ry. jh 
\\'lien, in 1821, Missouri formed one in tlie grand : Jj 
galaxy of States, this territory or countrj' was left : j 
out in the cold. Subsequently, in 1884, it formed J: J 
a part of Michigan Territory. In 18:^0 the Terri- 
tory of Wisconsin was formed, which included 
Iowa. .Inly ;il, 18,38, the Territory of Iowa was a;| 
organized. Dec. 28, 1846, Iowa was admitted intn 3^ 
the Union. 3; 



~<» - :==^ -^$-4ii8H®>^ 



HEN the Indians came into 
this country is not known. 
5 Father Marquette found 
them here when he first de- 
scended the Mississippi, in 
Ki?.!. On June 21 of that 
year, with his little party, he 
made a landing on the western b.ank of 
the Father (^f Waters, near the mouth of 
a beautiful stream believed to have been 
what is now Sandusky Creek, where they 
discovered a trail. Following it a short 
distance they came upon some Indi.ins, 
who, after being addressed in their own 
language by Father Jlarquette, conducted 
him ti> their village, about six miles from where 
tlie^- had landed. The Indian vilKige was on the 
banks of the Dcs Moines River, about six miles 
west from Keokuk, known since as the Shepherd 
Farm. The many changes which have taken place 



since th.it time leave the site of this village now c 

about one mile from the banks of the river, or the 5 

water's edge. Marquette, in the very brief account Ei 

which he left of this noted voyage, speaks of two ; 

villages, one on the left and one on the right bank =: 

of the river, and also of mounds which he found t: 

here. He raised the cross, and addressed the :' 

Indians upon the Catholic faith, which was the first ti 

Christian sermon delivered west of the Mississii)pi. jE 

and soon afterward resumed his explorations. 3; 

Although this territory, from the time of its d is- ;;|{; 

5:h. 



covery by Marquette, was claimed first b^' France, 
then ceded to Spain, then back again to France, and 
by her to the United States, various tribes of :; 






Indians held possession up to June 1, 1833. At 

this time the Black Hawk Purchase, which embraced = 

the territory of which Lee County is conijiosed, 3 

was opened up to settlement by the whites. Hith- ;:i 

erto it h.id been .as effectuallj' barred .against occu- ;i;[i 
pancy by Americans as though it were under a 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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foreign government. For many years prior to the 
advent of white men the different tribes had been 
from time to time at war with each otlier for |JOS- 
session. 

At the time tlie white settlements were being 
made on the eastern bank.-; of the Mississippi, this 
part of the country was in possession of the Sac 
and Fox tribes. They neither toiled nor spun, 
but subsisted b}' hunting and fishing mainly, and 
dwelt in tents or wigwams. AVhile they held 
the laud they improved it not. The arts of civil- 
ized husbandry and industry were unknown to 
them. The soil, so prolific, so respondent to the 
hand of man, was never turned by them except to 
bury tlieir dead or plant a little maize. It was not 
in the nature of divine economy that this country, 
so rich, so fair, and so productive, should Ije for- 
ever barred against tlie husbandman and artisan, 
against development and civilization, and held only 
for hunting-grounds. While it is not denied that 
there were wrongs committed against the Indian, 
yet it was for him to cultivate these lands, or leave 
them for those who would, ^^'hen the whites com- 
menced to make their settlement in the territory 
now embraced by this county, there were several 
Indian villages, or camps, the principal one being 
at what is now known as Montrose, and presided 
over by Chief ^\'apello. There were Indians also 
on the east side uf the river. 

The first white settlers here established trading- 
places, their principal dealings being with the In- 
dians, supplying them with such goods as they 
wanted, and receiving in return furs, pelts, wild 
game, etc. There was then no conflict between 
the two races, the white man being here by consent 
of the red. Their intercourse with each other was 
not onlj' friendly, but often partook of a social 
character. The whites increased in numbers on the 
Indian dominion, while peace and harmony reigned 
until the breaking out of the Black Hawk War. 
The Sacs and Foxes, of which Black Hawk was one 
of the chiefs, were occupants of. the lower part of 
the. eastern slope of Iowa, and it was from Keokuk 
that large numbers of the Indians started on the war 
path. They rendezvoused at Ft. Madison, crossed 
the river a little below the landing at the (iresent 
site oi Pontoosuc, Hancock Co., 111., and nuirching 



through that State, fought the two principal battles 
of the war in what is now the State of Wisconsin, 
the last and decisive battle being fought at Bad 
Axe, in which Black Hawk was defeated and soon 
surrendered. 

This was the last conflict between the red and white 
race east of the Mississippi. A council was soon held, 
at which a treaty was made, the Sacs and Foxes ced- 
ing to the United States a tract of land fifty miles 
wide, on the eastern border <A Iowa, from the north- 
ern boundary of Missouri to the mouth of the upper 
Iowa River, and extending to the Mississippi, con- 
taining in all (1,000,000 acres, and which was after- 
ward known as the Black Hawk Purchase. From 
this tract there was reserved for the use of the Sac 
and Fox tribes 400 square luiles of land situated on 
the Iowa River, which was known as the Keokuk 
Reserve. This was held by the Indians until 1835, 
and then ceded to the United States. 

After Black Hawk's return from prison at Fortress 
Monroe, he lived among his people at the reserva- 
tion on the Iowa River, with his fanul^-, and was a 
frequent visitor at Ft. Madison, Keokuk, and other 
parts of this county. When the Indians of this 
reservation were removed further up the Des 
Moines, Black Hawk went with them, and re- 
mained there until his death, Oct. 3, 1838. Clothed 
in a suit which had been presented to him by 
President Jackson, he was buried by the side of 
a large spring near the residence of James Jordan, 
an old Indian trader, near the village of Eldon. It 
was reported that his remains were afterwaril stolen, 
but subsequently recovered, and tlie skeleton pre- 
sented to his people; thej- however, with Indian 
superstition, refused to receive them, when they 
were deposited in the museum at Burlington. The 
building was subsequentlj' destroyed b}- fire, and 
witli it all that was mortal of the great Sac warrior. 



Half-Biocd Tra«t. 

sHIS tract figured quite largely in the early 
history of this county, occupying that por- 
tion of land between the Des Moines and 
Mississippi Rivers, suutii of a line drawn from a 






I 



liHI 




TXXl XXXXXZZ3ZX XI tX XTI i I 





Kail 1 iTitk 



LEE COUNTY. 



point on the Des Moines about one mile below 
Farmington, east, touching the lower part of Ft. 
Madison, to the Misssissippi, comprising an area of 
110,000 acres. This tract was established by a 
treaty between the United States and the Sac and 
Fox tribes, Aug. 4, 1824, and was reserved for the 
half-breeds, a race produced by the intermarriages 
of white adventurers, traiipers, traders, agents of 
the American Fur Company, and ufflcers of the 
Government with the women of the Sac and Fox 
na'^ions long before actual settlements had been 
made in the Territory of Iowa. There weie many 
respectable people among them, and some educated 
gentlemen. B3' this treaty the half-breeds could 
^ occupy but not sell the land, that right being re- 
served to the United States. This arrangement 
did not suit the adventurers and speculators of 
that day, and finally Congress was induced to pass 
an act by which this reversionary right was relin- 
quished, and the half-breeds acquired the lands in 
fee simple, llpon this, speculators rushed in to 
buy lands of the half-breeds, often securing large 
tracts for a blanket, a pony, or a few gallons of 
whisky. The speculators, however, often got the 
worst of it, for the Indians were apt pupils, aud 
began claiming ownership to lands not belonging 
to them, whicii they would sell to the speculators. 
There were no authorized surveys or established 
lines, and as a natural sequence, many conflicts and 
quarrels arose. 

To settle these and establish the validity of 
claims, or sell them for the benefit of the rightful 
owner, the Legislature of Wisconsin Territory, un- 
der which this Territory was then governed, in 
1848 passed an act providing for the appointment 
of three Commissioners, to be clothed with author- 
ity to adjudicate in these cases, and also providing 
that they should be paid *(! per day each. The 
^ men chosen were Edward Johnstone, Thomas S. 
AVilson and David Brigham. They entered upon 
their duties, but the next session of the Legislature 
repealed the act, invalidating all that had been 
done, and depriving the Commissioners of their sal- 
?^ i j aries. The act, however, authorized the Commis- 
sioners to bring action against the owners of the 
Half-Brecd Tract, to recover pay f(jr tlieii- salaries 
in the District Court of Lee County. Two judg- 



III 

iiii 




ments were obtained, and the vvhole tract was sold 
on execution to H. T. Reid, tlie Sheriff executing 
the deed. Mr. Reid sold portions of this land to 
various parties, but his title wa^ disi)uted and he 
became involved in litigation. Decisions in his fa- 
vor, aud tiio.-e holding under him, were made by 
the District aud .Supreme Courts. It finally reached 
the Supreme Court of the Uniteil States, when 
these decisions were reversed in tlie case <if .loseph 
\Vebster, plaintiff in error, cs. Hugh T. Reid, and 
the judgment titles failed. Some years before these 
judgment titles were abrogated, as above, another 
class of titles was brought iuto com[)etilion with 
them, and in the conflict between tiie two the final 
decision was obtained. These were the titles 
based on the decree of partition issued by the 
United States District Court for the Territory of 
Iowa, in May, 1841. John.stone & Reid. then law- 
partners at Ft. Madison, filed the petition for the 
decree in behalf of the St. Louis claimants of half- 
breed lands. Francis S. Key, distinguished as the 
anthor of the "Star Spangled Banner," was then 
attorney for the New York Land Company, who 
held large interests in these lands, and took a 
leading part in the measure, drawing up the docu- 
ment which was presented to the court. • The plan 
of partition divided the tract into shares, and ar- 
ranged that each claimant should draw his propor- 
tion by lot, and should abide by the result, whatever 
it miglit be. This arrangement was subscribed to, 
the lots drawn, and the plat of the same filed in the 
Recorder's office. Upon this basis the titles to the || 
laud in the Half-Breed Tract are held at the pros 
ent day. 

Keokiik'.s Reserve. 



- i 



II 



nN 1830 Keokuk ceded his reserve to the 
United States for $30,000 and an annuity of 
/1\ $10,000 for ten consecutive years, and he and ^ 
his followers turned their faces toward the setting 
sun. Oct. 21, 1837, another treaty was made at 
Washington, by which the Sacs and Foxes ceded 
to the Government the tract of land adjoining the 
Black Hawk Purchase on the west. This tract was 
conveyed by them to the United States by the 
treaty of 1832, and contains 1,250,00(1 acres. 



^ •^iy/////4^ 




LEE COUNTY. 




Of the chiefs who used to be here and with 
whom the early settlers were the best acquainted, 
Black Hawk, Keokuk, and Wapelki were the most 
noted. Of the former a brief aceeiuiit has been 
given. They were ail able chiefs, Black Hawk the 
better ^^■arrior, Keokuk the better orator and dip- 
lomatist. Keokuk, after whom the principal city in 
Lee County is named, was a fine specimen of the 
red man. tall, straight, and of commanding presence. 
He was selected by the (Tovernuient to distribute 
the annuities to the Sacs and Foxes, not only ou 
account of his friendliness to the United States, but 
for his influence with his race. He was by nature 
endowed with the elements which make orators, 
and is entitled to rank among the best Indian 
orators of his time. It was unfortunate for him, so 
far ss his fame among the white people is con- 
cerned, that he never had an interpreter who could 
properly represent him. He knew that Black Hawk's 
war against the whites would result only in the de- 



feat and slaughter of his people, and by his skill- 
ful management he succeeded in retaining a major- 
ity of them at home. He died in Kansas in 1 848 
from the effects of poison administered by one of 
his tribe. The Indian was arrested, confessed his 
guilt, and was shot. Keokuk left a son of consid- 
erable ability, but he was not very popular with his 
people. Wapello, an Indian of strong mind and 
good principles, was powerful in liis tribe and a 
friend of the whites. He was the successor vf 
Black Hawk in rank. He died at the forks of 
Skunk River, March 15, 1842, and his remains 
were taken to the Indian Agency and interred near 
where Agency City is now located. The rite of burial 
was performed as the sun was going down, with the 
usual Indian ceremonies. At his request, his re- 
mains were placed by the side of Gen. Street's, for 
whom he had a high regard. His grave was subse- 
quently cared for b}' the Chicago, Burlington &. 
Quincy Railroad Company', whose road passes near it. 




i 



I 




« — i»S 



piiiiLin. 






Moutrose in 1790, by Loiii 

Ilonore Tesson, a F"reiicliinan, 

and was the second settlement 

made in any part of tlie territory 

now belonging to the State of 

m Iowa. The claim made by Tesson 

was one league square, and was a 

Spanish grant. 

Tesson's improvements on his new 
iiome were considerable for those days, and rather 
beyond what the times then seemed to warrant, for 
he became involved in debt, and his claim, witli all 
its improvements, was sold in 1803, under the 
Spanish law, at public sale at the door of the par- 
ish church in St. Louis, to satisfy creditors in that 
town. He liad erected a dwelling and farm build- 
ings, a trading-])ost, set out an orchard and made 
gardens, all of which he had surrounded with piclvet 
and rail fences. Tesson's creditor who became the 
owner of his claim died in a few years, and in the 
settlement of liis estate this claim with its improve- 
ments passed into tlio possession of Thomas F. 
Riddick for a triHc. France and Spain in their 
treaties respected this grant, and upon the transfer 
by France of the Louisiana territory to the United 



States, the latter Government obligated itself to 
respect it. The validity of this grant subse(pientlj- 
became a matter of dispute, and was finally brought 
before Congress for adjustment, when a commission 
was appointed to determine the character and legal 
rights of the claim. They reported favorably, but 
on account of the Indian title not having been ex- 
tinguished, the Recorder of Land Titles at Little 
Rock, Ark., refused to issue a settlement right 
to more than one mile square of the original Tesson 
grant. This title was issued in 181(3, and the action 
of the Recorder was sustained by the Government. 

The orchard planted by Tesson, in after 3'ears 
furnished fruit to tiie pioneers on botii sides of the pK 
Mississippi, and provided the wa}- for tlieir chil- 
dren to get their first taste of tliat standard fruit, 
the apple. It also became one of tlie landmarks 
of the country. It does not appear that Riddick 
ever improved or occupied his possessions on the 
banks of the Mississippi. 

The next settlement in Lee County nas, treating 
the establishment of Ft. Madison as a settlement, 
about the 1st of January, 1805. This fort was 
erected by Lieut. Z. M. Pike, who subsequently be- 
came (luite distinguished as the leader of Pike's 
Expedition, and for the ability displayed in form- 
ing amicable relations with the Indians of the North- 
western territoiy. The fort was named in honor of 
President Madison, and was also sometimes called 
Le Moine Factiiiy. A trading-house was opened 
here which did a large business with the Indians 



§n 



^^ 



teas 



^m 



tS??T 







LEE COUNTY. 



603 



Tesson lived on his grant with his famil}' until 
about the time this territory came into the possess- 
ion of the United States Government. Aside from 
those who took up their abode at Ft. Madison, the 
next settler after Tesson was a French trader bj' 
the name of Lemoliese, who located in 1820 at 
what is now .Sandusky. His improvements con- 
sisted chiefly of a log cabin, in which he carried on 
trading, and a garden patch fr<;)m which he drew 
his supply of vegetables and corn! The place bore 
his name for many years. Maurice Blondeau, an- 
other Fi'enchman, came in about the same time, and 
located about a mile above on the river. 

The next improvement in what is now Lee 
County, was the erection of a log cabin, during the 
year 1820, at the foot of the rapids, now the pres- 
ent site of Keokuk, bj' .Samuel C. Muir, a sur- 
geon in the United States Army ; he was located 
at Ft. Edwards, now known as Warsaw, 111., and 
was married to an Indian woman. He lived in his 
new cabin with his wife and children for a short 
time, and then leased it to St. Louis parties and 
moved to Galena, at which place and in Northern 
Missouri he engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion. 

Dr. Muir being regarded as the founder of Keo- 
kuk, a brief sketch of him may be of interest. He 
was a native of Scotland, graduated at Edinburgh 
University, and soon thereafter emigrated to the 
United States. Upon his arrival here he offered 
his services as Surgeon to the Government, which 
were accepted. He was sent to the frontier among 
the military posts, where he came in contact with 
the Indians. He soon became enamoured with a 
beautiful young squaw, whom he married. The 
Doctor and his Indian wife lived happily together 
and h.ad several children. He was alwa3's accompan- 
ied by his familj' wherever his duties caused him to 
go, which was from post to post. This was at- 
tended often with great inconvenience, which finally 
caused him to make the provision mentioned above, 
that his family might have a permanent home. 
While stationed at Ft. F^dwards the War Depart- 
ment issued orders to the effect that all officers 
■ and attaches of the army should at once abandon 
and refuse to harbor any and all Indian women 
around military posts. Dr. Muir at once resigned 



his positif)n in the army, which was finally accepted. 
Many flattering inducements were offered him to 
abandon his wife and children, but this, to his 
credit be it said, he refused to do, and taking his 
family, to whom he was greatly' devoted, he bad 
adieu to his companions and officers and left the 
post. After several years' practice in the northern 
I and northwestern settlements he returned with his 
j family to his cabin at Keokuk, Puek-e-she-tuck, 
as it was then called. He had been absent ten 
years, during which period quite a change had 
taken place, among others the American Fur Com- 
pany having established a trading-post. Dr. Muir 
died of cholera in 1832, and not long after his wife 
and all but one of his children followed him. The 
one left was a daughter, Louisa, who lived to a 
good old age. 

Some years elapsed after the coming of Dr. Muir 
before another settlement was made in Lee County. 
In the fall of 1827, Moses Stillwell, a carpenter of 
St. Louis, with his wife, four children, and a young- 
boy bj' the name of Valencourt A'anausdol, who 
was living with him, embarked on board of an old 
steamboat at St. Louis, bound for what was then 
called the Indian Territory. After a passage of 
six weeks they landed at the present site of 
Quincy, 111. At this point they took an ox-wagon 
and went to Ft. Edwards, where they wintered. 
During that season the elder Stillwell crossed the 
Mississippi, to the present site of Keokuk, and 
put up two cabins near the foot of what is now 
Main street. Early in the spring he moved his 
family over. Further up he fenced in some ground, 
and put in a crop of corn and potatoes. Two 
years later Stillwell built a cabin at th(> foot of 
High street, which he occupied until his death, in 
1834. 

The next pioneer of Lee County was Dr. Isaac 
Galland (see biography of Washington Galland), 
who came from Illinois in 1829, and settled at 
what is now known as Nashville. He was a man 
of marked ability, and left his impress upon the 
people with whom he dwelt. He died at Ft. Mad- 
ison in 1858. His daughter Eleanor was the first 
white child born in Lee County. She was married 
to a Mr. McPherson, and the last known of her she 
was living at Ottumwa. Isaac R. Canqjbell, a 








s^lf 



604 



LEE COUNTY. 



friend of Dr. Gallanrl, who moved over from Nau- 
voo in 1830, and became a neighbor of the doctor, 
is believed to have been the fourth settler of this 
county. These men, and especially' Dr. Gallaud, 
expected Nashville would be in the then no distant 
future a large commercial city. Indeed it had 
great promises. 

During that year there was added to this settle- 
ment the Dedman family, lienjamin Jennings, who 
taught the first school iu what is now Lee County, 
and Samuel Brierly, whose son James was the first 
Representative of the county. Mr. Jennings subse- 
quently moved to Oregon, where he became a mil- 
lionaire. Mr. Campbell remained here until the 

jgsjl following spring, and then moved down to Keokuk. 

ilPill His son, known as Capt. .lames W. Campbell, be- 
came an active and ijroniinent business man in the 
county, and widely known on the Mississippi. He 
is now living .at Ft. Madison. His father moved 
to Missouri, where he died at a ripe old age. 

.Several miles up the beautiful Des Moines River, 
iu what is now Des Moines Township, amid a sea 
of wild flowers of every hue, John Tolman, in 1831, 
made a claim and erected a little cabin for himself 
and family. This primitive home was located near 
what is known to-day as Noah Bailey's Place. 
Several others about the settlements on the river 
at this period engaged in trading with the Indians, 
trapping, Inmting and fishing, among whom were 
Russell Farnham, Mark Aldrich, Moses Stillwater, 
tr Joshua Palean, Edward Bushnell, Paul Bessette, 
H- Baptiste Neddeau and John Shook. 

Shortly after the termination of the Black Hawk 
War, and the establishment of peace with the In- 
dians, a new impetus was given to immigration. 
The fame of the eastern slope of Iowa, or the Black 
Hawk Purchase, for the fertility of its ^oil and the 
beauty of its l.indscape had extended eastward to 
the Atlantic. It was regarded as an El Dorado, 
and people were in a fever of anxiety to make 
claims here. They could not wait for the Indians' 
rights to expire, which by treaty was not until June 
} 1, 1833, but intruded themselves into the Indian 
SI domain without as much as saying " By your 
leave, Mr. Indian." They would often be re- 
moved by United States soldiers, but this did not 
do much good, for as soon as the soldiers were 





gone, they would return and re-occupy their claims. 
They wanted to maintain for themselves the bene- 
fit f)f the squatters' right, and to be on hand 
and in possession when the land did come into 
market. A might think, and undoubtedly did, 
that if he did not take up the land B would, and 
oice versa. This was enterprise, if it was not 
honorable. Honor, however, is not always the 
most acceptable companion for enterprise, and it is 
often left behind. The prevailing principle is, 
catch-who-catch-can. Many a man to-day poor, 
would be a millionaire, had it not been that he 
measured his actions by a high moral and consci- 
entious standard. Yet when a man has amassed a 
fortune by ways and means that were at least ques- 
tionable, or that he would not want applied to him- 
self, he can placate his conscience by some charit- 
able or church endowment. This might be all right 
were there not another record — above. 

Among those wiio made claims to lands here be- 
fore the Indian title was extinguished was Peter 
Williams, who was then called a muUen-leaf doctor, 
as he made some pretensions to physics. He came 
in during or soon after the Black Hawk War, in 
1832. and located at Ft. Madison, a little below the 
old fort, and put up a cabin. This was the first 
settlement made here, if we may except that made 
at the time the fort and trading-post was estab- 
lished. The mullen doctor's habitation here was 
not destined to be a continuous, or a peaceful one, 
for he was summarily dealt with. Some troops 
came up from Ft. Armstrong, demolished his house, 
and rolled the logs into the river. Peter they took 
prisoner, and placed him in confinement at Com- 
merce (Nauvoo, 111.), from which place he was re- 
leased by the intercession of friends, upon his giv- 
ing a jjledge that he would not again cross the river 
while the Indians had rightful possession of the 
lauds. Williams kept his pledge, and did not re- 
cross the Mi,ssi.ssippi until the latter part of 1833, 
when he came over and took possession of his old 
claim. 

Alxtut the same time there came Richard Chen3% 
who put in a squatter's right near the present site 
of the State Penitentiary. From Isaac R. Camp- 
bell's " remembrances " it appears that these two 
pioneers did uot get along very well together, and 







LEE COUNTY. 



fov a time a small war-clond hung over the settle- 
ment. A (lisi)ute arose between Peter and Richard 
in regard to the boiiudarj' line, which became quite 
hot. Finally Peter sought aid from Ft. Des Moines 
in order to maintain his ground. His allies came 
up, and fired a few rounds of blank cartridges into 
Richard's fortifications, upon which he made an un- 
conditional surrender, promising ever thereafter to 
respect Peter's domain. 

In addition to the above-named persons, there 
were in Ft. Madison at this time .James and August 
Horton, Zack. Hawkins, John H. and Nathaniel 
Knapp, and Aaron AVhite. During this j'e.ar (1833) 
the settlement at Keokuk was increased by the ar- 
rival of .Tames Bartlett and family and Forsyth L. 
Morgan. .Tames Bartlett died the following year. 
His son, Henrj' D., became a grocery dealer at 
Keokuk, and Forsyth Morgan became a farmer in 
Van Buren Township. There were other settlers 
who came into the Black Hawk Purchase during 
this j'ear, but settled on the north side of Skunk 
River, opposite Denmark Township. Among these 
were John Whitaker, who subsequently moved into 
Lee County, and became' a resident of Ft. Madison. 
John Box, who subsequently became prominent in 
the early political history of the county, moved 
over from Illinois in the latter part of 1833, and 
took up a claim near the town of Ft. Madison. He 
was a member of the first Territorial Legislature of 
Wisconsin, which met at Belmont in 1836. Lee 
County was then attached to Des Moines. 

The 3'ear 1834 witnessed several additions to the 
settlements of Lee Count_y. Among these were 
Alex Cruickshank and wife, who landed at Ft. 
Madison in March, lie was a native of Norway, 
but came here from the Illinois shore, sailing up 
from the present site of Hamilton in a little canoe, 
using a blanket for a sail. After [irospeeting, he 
selected a claim in Pleasant, Ridge Township, 
erected a cabin, and when the spring opened he 
broke ground and planted a corn crop. During 
this year he burned a lime kiln near the " Old Or- 
chard," the first in the territory now occupied by 
Lee County, and probablj' the first iu the Black 
Hawk Purchase, and also assisted in the construc- 
tion of the barracks at Ft. Des Moines (Montrose). 






Ft. Des Moines Barracks. 

r.DES MOINES BARRACKS were built in 
1834, under the supervision of Lieut. Cross- 
man, and were occupied l)y the 1st of No- 
vember of th.at year by three companies of the First 
United States Dragoons, under command of Lieut. 
Col. Stephen W. Kearney. A Captain of one of 
the companies was Nathaniel Boone, a son of the 
famous Daniel Boone, of Kentucky. Col. Kear- 
ney's quarters wei'e built of willow logs which were 
brought over from the island. They were scutched 
on the outside, and the next year the Colonel's 
quarters presented the appearance of a mound cov- 
ered with a young growth of trees. pi ti 

This fort was used by the troops until 1 K37, Ju_h 
when they were transferred to Ft. Leavenworth, 
Kan. Col. Kearney's building was subsequently 
used for a hotel, and was known as the River House. 
The landlord's name was William Coleman. A 
Captain of one of the companies of this fort was E. 
V. Sumner, who was a General in the late war for 
the Union. Jesse B. Browne was another Captain. 
They were all verj' clever gentlemen, and quite 
popular with the early settlers. At this fort there 
were at different times many men who in after life 
became distinguished. Among these were Oen. 
Winfield Scott, Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. 
The furniture of the fort afterward came into the 
possession of J. B. Knight, of Keokuk. There 
were scmie quaint pieces, even for a fort, and in 
those days, might be regarded as rather elegant 
and costly. 

A. W. Harlan was another settler of 1834, ^vho 
worked on the barracks. He was a native of Indi- 
ana, an athlete, and a great wrestler. He subse- 
quently improved a farm in Vim Buren Township. 
William Skinner also came in 1834, locating at the 
•' Point," or Keokuk, and taking up his habitation 
in a shantN' belonging to Moses Stillwell. Skinner 
was from Pennsylvania, originally. He came from 
Cincinnati by water, and landed at Ft. Edwards, 
where he remained a short time, and then securing 
a couple of canoes, he lashed them together, and 
with his family and liou.sehold effects on board, 
paddled over to Keokuk. This was in the spring, 
and when he arrived at the foot of the i-apids. he 
found living there Moses Stillwell and family, Isaac 



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R. Campbell and familj', .Tames Bartlettand fanuly, 
Forsyth L. Morgan and Valencoiirt \'anausdol. 

Mr. Skinner was something of a carpenter, and a 
handy man at all job.s, and his coming- to Keoliuk 
was very opportune for him, for nut long after 
Lieut. Grossman came up from St. Louis with his 
men to build the l)es Moines barracks. Skinner 
secured a contract for 2(»,()i>() clapboards fur the 
fort, fur which he received ^''O per tlionsand. These 
he cut along the banks of the river, wherever he 
could find good timber. They were the first made 
in the county. This contract finished, he was liired 
at a salary of $(>0 per montli to superintend the 
erectinn of the log buildings. Out of Crossman's 
force there was not one who knew how to put up a 
cabin. Mr. Skinner had a young son, who also was 
hired at a good salary to drive the ox -team. When 
the barracks were completed Mr. Skinner had laid 
by a nice little sum of mone3', and was very well 
equip])ed for the improvement of a claim, which he 
took up during the latter |)art of thisj'ear on Sugar 
Creek. I'ntil he could erect for his family' a cabin, 
they lived in a tepee that had been built bj- Black 
Hawk for use during the sugar-making season. It 
Jjl stood on the east bank of Sugar Creek, near tiie 
-^ present crossing of the Burlington & Southwestern 
Railroad, in what is now Franklin Township. This 
was the first settlement made in this part of the 
county. He soon after built a house ou the west 
l)ank of the creek. At this time, and during the 
following winter he had no neighbors nearer than 
Ft. Madison. 

.lames C. Parrott, another of the settlers who re- 
mained a resident of the county, came up with the 
troops to Ft. Des Moines in 1834, as First Ser- 
geant. AVhen the Rebellion broke out he became 
Colonel of the 7th Iowa Infantry, and distinguished 
himself as a brave officer. During the latter part 
aof this year (18;U), .John Cregg, Samuel Ross, Jo- 
i seph White and Benjamin Box came in and made 
claims in what is now Washington Township. 
What is now Pleasant Ridge Township was settled 
this year by Heiny Helmau and .John Rump. They 
were the first Germans to settle in the county, and 
they and two brothers by the name of Mittendorf 
were the only (iermans in the county at this time. 
Denmark Township was a year in advance of 



Pleasant Ridge in its settlement. A Tennessean 
by the name of .lohn 1\L Forrest, has the honor of 

l)eing the lirst .settler iiere. He made a claim on 
what is 110W section 2."). He was by profession a 
surveyor. The climate not agreeing with him, he 
moved to Arkansas in ls:{7. 

S])ace would not permit, nor lias it been (jur pur- 
pose, to follow \\]> in iletnil :dl the first settlements 
in the different p;irts of tiie county. We have given 
the jirineipal settlements made in the territory now 
embraced by Lee County uj) to the beginning of 
183.T. During that year large additions were made. 
As soon as navigation opened iinil the roads settled, 
the people from the East and South started for 
this famed country. They came from New York, 
Penn.sylvania, Ohio, \'irgiuia, Indiana and Ken- 
tucky. They came in wagons, and by boats down 
the Ohio and up the Mississippi. They made tlieir 
long, weary journejs, stimulated by the bright pros- 
pects that laj' before them in tlie fair promised 
land and full of sanguine hopes for the future. 

The first marketable product raised by the 
farmers to any extent was wheat, and for the first 
few years there was no very ready sale foi' this, as 
the market at this period seemed to be overstocked. 
The settlers lived mostly on wild game and corn 
meal, which they pounded out in hominy-blocks. 
Their dress was much in keeping with their food. 
Buckskin breeches and hunting shirts usually formed 
the dress of the pioneer. I'p to 18:3o there were 
no mills west of the Mississippi. During this year 
there was one set up on the nortli side of Skunk 
River, in Henry Count}'. Late in the fall of this 
year there were two mills set up within the limits 
of this county, one at Augusta and the other at 
Ft. Madison. These enterprising men were John 
H. Kuapp and Mr. Moffatt. They were great bene- 
factors to the early settlers and were always great- 
f ully remembered, j'et a " pone " cake or a " dodger," 
with venison, fowl or pork, was not .an unsavorj' 
dish to the pioneer. The cabins were bnilt 
mostly of round logs, with puncheon floors, if they 
had anj- at all. As many of the old settlers were 
from the Southern States, outside chimneys were 
the rule; the eastern or iiurthern men also generally 
adopting this plan. Wiien anj' pains were taken 
with the construction of these cabins the}' were 



tJcJ.rJr'HM tJi-'r^Hr' 



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LEE COUNTY. 




rather comfortable. When of a cold night the 
pioneers would gather around the bright tires in 
those great stone fireplaces, free and unrestrained 
by the conventionalities of socictj', with happj' 
hearts and freedom of speech, their faces radiant 
with bright hopes for the future, it was a scene that 
would make a munarch envious. 

Organization. 

EE COUNTY was fir.st orgauized by an act 
of the Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin, 
approved Dec. 7, 183U. The boundaries as 
defined by this act were never very cleaily estab- 
lished. The boundary lines were subsequently re- 
established b}' the Territorial Legislature of Iowa, by 
an act approved Jan. 23, 1839, aud have not been 
changed since. These lines located the county in the 
southeast corner of the State, occupying the territory 
lying immediately between the Mississippi and Des 
Moines Rivers. The origin of the name has been 
a matter of some dispute, but the best authority 
credits the name to a member of the New Yorli 
Land Company. 

The county is very liberally watered aud probal)ly 
one of the best drained in the .State. Nearly three- 
fourths of it is Ijordered by the Mississippi, Des 
Moines and Skunk Rivers. In the interior are 
seveial streams, meandering in different direc- 
tions through the county — Des Moines. Sugar 
Creek, Price's Creek, Sandusky Creek, French 
Creek, and Penitentiary, Lost, Mud, Cedar and Big 
Devil's Creeks. Its area is about 500 square miles, 
imd is about equall}' divided between timlier and 
|)rairie lands. The lower portion of the count}-, in 
many parts, is quite broken; the northern or north- 
western is mostly undulating, with a rich and pro- 
ductive soil. In the southern part and that border- 
ing on the Mississippi, the soil is light and sandy, 
which, however, of late years, has been made very 
productive in raising tomatoes, cucumbers and the 
water-melon. In fact, this is becoming one of the 
large and profitable farming industries of this sec- 
tion of >lie county. It is composed of alluvial and 
drift foiiiintion. The alluvial bnttom lands are the 
most valuable deiiosils. These were al one time 




subject to overflow, but they are now secured from 
iiuuidation, except in extraordinary floods. Some 
of the ridges of the high Ik ittom lands are covered 12^^ 
with sand, and have no productive soil. The 
county is exceedingly well supplied with good 
building stone, the principal kinds being the 
magnesian limestone, Keokuk and Burlington lime- 
stone, the best quarries being along the banks of '^ 
the Mississippi and Skunk Rivers, in Denmark 
Township. The day beds furnish an excellent 
material for tile and brick, and fire-brick. Probably 
no county in the State is better supplied with all 
the elements of material wealth, good soil, i)lenty 
of timber and water, and an abundance of building 
material. No county at least in the State is better CJ W 
situated commercially. With the great river wash- rSJ^-, 







a IB 



ing its shores, and traversed by numerable railroads 
the facilities for transportation are unexcelled. 

Lee County has been a rich field for scientists 
and collectors of curiosities, and there are many 
valuable cabinets here and elsewhere which have 
been filled from collections made in the county. 
The mounds, whicli were numerous in Green Bay 
Township, furnished a prolific field for collectors 
of relics. This township furnishes evidences of 
its having been occupied centuries ago. The re- 
mains of a building were found here. It was in a 
shape of a cross, and is supposed to have been 
built and used by the Jesuit missionaries. A pe- 
culiar cross was found in these ruins, which more than 
anything else indicates the antiquity of this build- 
ing. It represented the crucified Savior, the \'irgin TT ~J 
Mary with her heart pierced with seven daggers, {}jg({ 



four angels, a ladder and a palace. On the reverse 
side was a monogram, and the words, "To all the 
faithful who recite the Ave Maria before this holj' 
image, an indulgence of 1,080 days is granted." 
Anuing the collections made in the county- are some fe!^ 
very fine specimens of crinoids and gi-ades. 



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Civil Goveriiinent. 

)Y the provisions of the several acts of the 
f^ Legislature, the county perfected its organ- 
ization and started its political machinery. 
The first term of the District Comt was 
held in March, 1837, with .Judge David Irvin on 











the bench, Joshua Owens, Sheriff, and John H. 
Lines, Clerk. 'I'iie first county election was held at 
Ft. Madison the following April. The first meeting 
of the Board of .Supervisors was held at the resi- 
dence of J. S. Douglass, Ft. IMadison. The fhst 
order of this board was that J. S. Douglass be 
licensed to keej) a public-house, with the permission 
also to sell spirituous licpiors in the town of Ft. 
INfadison. By this it would .'ippoar tliat Jlr. Doug- 
lass opened the first tavern in the eouiity, at least 
the first one that was dignified liy being opened un- 
der authority of law. 

The last session of this lioard was held in Febru- 
ary, liS;38. The Legislature by an act passed in 
December, 1.S37, pi-ovided for a Board of County 
Commissioners, instead of the Supervisors, to take 
charge of the municipal affairs of the county. An 
election was held in ^Nlarch, 1 838, at which time 
a Board of Count}' Commissioners and other county 
officers were elected. This board consisted of 
Stephen H. Graves, S. H. Burtis and William An- 
derson, and held its first meeting Jlarch 2G, 1838. 
They held their last meeting July 30, 1838. 

Under the Act of Congress providing for the 
organization of the Territory of Iowa, which was 
approved .luuc 12, 1838, the Governor was author- 
ized to order an election for territorial and eountj' 
affairs. This election was field Sept. 10, 1838. At 
this time the po|ialation of tlie county was 2,839. 

InNovemljer, 1S3.S, the (iovernment sale of the 
lands in the Black I lawk Purchase commenced at 
Burlington. This was a great epoch, not onl}- for 
the people of this county, but for many others. 
There was great excitement among the settlers, 
and much anxiety less they should not have money 
enough to secure the claims upon which they had 
toiled so hard. Most of these settlers were poor; 
many of them had come to tile county without 
anything but llieir own strong arms and brave 
hearts, and had worked hard to lay by money so 
that when tlie lime came for "bidding in" the 
(d land to complete their titles tlie}' would lie ready. 
There was another class also that was watcliing 
witli a vultui-e's eye the time when these sales 
would be made; tliese were the land-grabbers 
or moiie3'-sharks as tlie}' were staled then. It 
fortunate for the settlers the (iovenimeiil 



had in the land-office at this time, two such 
noble men as (4ens. Dodge and Wan Antwerp. 
They looked after the interests of the settlers and 
protected tliem in tlieir rights as much as thcj' 
could. Tiiere were thousands of people at this 
sale, and everyone interested in one wa}' or another. 
There was a class that advocated the princilile that 
the settler was a squatter and iiad no rights; that he 
ought to be driven from the lands as a trespasser. 
These men were careful, however, not to ventilate 
tlieir Llioories around when the settlers were about 
tlieir camps. It is pleasing to recrird that the 
squatter's rights were resi)ectcd, and that all the. 
settlers who had the means, or could raise them, 
secured their claims. Much of this, however, was 
owing to their united action and a sacred compact 
to stand by each other. They were at Burlington 
in force, with their camp outfits, and remained un- 
til the sale was over. 




After delil)eratic)ii 
Franklin Townsiiip. 
village of Franklin, 
a town laid off. ami 
toward i)roviding 



III 



Tlic Comity Seat. 

T first the seat of justice was located at Ft. 
Madison. As the county settled up the 
center of population changed, and natur- 
ally toward the interior of the county. A 
movement was begun, the object of which was to 
move the Legislature for an act providing for a re- 
location of the county seat. This resulted in the 
passage of an act providing for a commission to take 
action in the matter. They were instructed t*) 
have regard to the future as well as the present 
population, and also the geographical center. Sam- 
uel C. Reid and James L. Scott, two of tiie Com- 
missioners, met at Ft. Madison in March, 1840. 
they made the location in 
and on tlie [iresent site of the 
A survey was ordered made, 
other arrangements necessary 
for a .seat of justice. The 
County t'onimissioners accepted the location in 
good f'aitii, and made .-dl lawful arrangements to 
carr} out tlic purposes of the act. The people, 




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however, were not satisfierl with the location, and 
at the next session of the Legislature a Ijill was 
prepared providing for a reconsideration of the 
matter. Another act was passed which provided 
that the question of locating the county seat should 
be left for a vote of the people of the county, and 
that a majority of all the votes for any i)lace 
should determine the location ; that if no such re- 
sult was had then another election should be held, 
at which the people should vote for the two points 
securing the highest number of votes at the preced- 
ing election. Before an election was held the town 
of Ft. Madison passed an ordinance for the api)ro- 
priation of 18,000 for the erection of a court-house 
and jail, provided the county seat should be lo- 
cated there. This sum was guaranteed by the citi- 
zens. 

In the first election there was no choice. Ft. 
Madison, Franklin and West Point having been 
voted for. In the second election two points onlj- 
were voted for, Ft. Madison and Franklin, and the 
former received the majority and was declared to 
be the future county seat. The site having been 
selected, the work of erecting the public buildings 
was proceeded with. They were completed in the fall 
of 1842, ata cost of about $2, 000. So far the people 
of Ft. Madison were successful, but the contest had 
not ended. A combination was formed by the 
people of Franklin and West Point, and the Legis- 
lature was petitioned to open the county seat ques- 
tion, which it did, appointing three Commissioners 
from Henry, Van Buren and Des Moines Counties, 
to examiue the question and locate the county seat 
at such place as in their judgment would be to the 
best interest of all the people. A few of the citi- 
zens of West Point obligated themselves to the 
amount of 114,000 to erect a good court-house 
should that i)lace be selected, and the building was 
to be erected on the public square. The Commis- 
sioners finally selected West Point for the county 
seat. The people of that place made good their 
pledges and erected a good court-house, which 
resulted disastrously to a few of them, lint they 
had their waj', which was some satisfaction. Peo- 
ple in a conrtict, who otherwise would not donate a 
dollar, will often give hundreds of dollars to carry 
their puiut. The Ft. Madison pc(jple, though de- 



feated were^ not subdued, and they wiiited their 
time. An effort was made about this time to di- 
vide the county. The scheme, however, was de- 
feated by a majority of 239 votes. 

In 184.5 the county seat question ;igain came be-p 
fore the people, and an election was held in August i ^ 
of that year, at which time Ft. Madison, West Point, 
Franklin, Keokuk, Montrose and Charleston were 
voted for. There being no choice, another elec- 
tion was held in September, the votes being cast 
for the thi'ee points reaching the highest numbei- of 
votes in the former election, which were Ft. Madi- 
son, West Point and Franklin. The result of this 
election was in favor of Ft. Madison, and the good 
people of this town were again made hajjpy. The 
county seat, with all the records appertaining to it, 
again took up its march for a final resting-place, 
and in due time arrived at Ft. Madison. The 
court-house at West Point was subsequently used 
for a school-house. 

Ft. Madison, however, had to divide the honors. 
The Legislature of 1847 passed an act establishing 
a court with concurrent jurisdiction at Keokuk. By 
this act parties could sue in either the Ft. Madison 
or Keokuk courts, but all criminal cases were 
made triable in Ft. IMadison, except those arising 
in Jackson, Van Buren, Des Moines, Montrose and 
Charleston Townships, which were tried at Keokuk. 
The court-house and jail at Ft. Madison are only 
fair; they are constructed of brick with stone 
foundations. The county buildings at Keokuk 
were originally used for a medical college, and were 
sold to the county for $14,000. 

Toiiwsliip Org'anizatioii. 

T the .lanuary meeting of the County Com- 
missioners in 1841, the township organ- 
ization was adoi)ted, the names selected 
for the varit>us townshii)s. and boundaries 
established. Five years subse(|uent (184(;) the 
count}' was under the jurisdiction of m State 
government. There was no clashing, honever, 
and civil and political matters moved on un- 
disturbed liy the change. The last meeting of 




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the County Commissioners was held in August, 
1851. Succeeding this system was the County 
Court, the Judge of which not only iiad iurisdic- 
tion in [jrobatc matters, hut possessed all the powers 
heretofore vested in the Commissioners. The 
County Court system was changed in 1860, and 
the affairs uf the county were placed in charge of a 
Board of Suiu'rvisurs, each civil township electing 
one Supervisor. In 1871 the law was again changed, 
providing for tiiree Supervisors onl3', instead of 
one from each township, 'i'iie county matters are 
adjusted at present ]>y tiiis lioard, which meets at 
Ft. Madison. 



TIk'Ii and Mow. 

() greater contrast could he given in any one 
form of develoimient than that presented 
in the department of education. With the 
first school taught by Herr^'man .leimings, at Nash- 
ville, iu 18:50, and the complete system of instruc- 
li(in had iu the county' to-day, it would be hard to 
trace any likeness. From the shanty of that time 
to the elegant buildings of today, there is a long step ; 
in the mode of teaching and the facilities for edu- 
cation, the dilference is equally as great. The .sec- 
ond school opened in the county was at Keokuk in 
a log cabin that stood near the river, between Main 
and Blondeau streets, and we are informed it was 
taught by Jesse Creighton, a shoemaker. It seems 
that the Indians had spoiled Jesse's trade in teach- 
ing the white man to wear moccasins, and being of 
an inventive turn of mind he faced about, stuck 
his awl in the wall and took up the ruler. Pro- 
gressi(jn, however, is one of the principal ingredients 
of the American character, and iu a little while all 
this was changed. A well established system of 
instruction has been adopted, good buildings have 
been erected in every part of the county, and the 
best of teachers secured. There are also colleges 
and convents that are widel3' kmiwu and distin- 
guished as educational institutions. 

The public schools and institutions of learning in 
Lee County have had a very marked effect upon 
her people, as is evichuiced by their character and 
attainments, and the distinguished positions which 



many of her citizens have held, not only in the 
civil walks of life, but in the political councils of 
the State and nation. 

The press also of the county has been conducted 
with marked ability, and has had no inconsiderable 
iurtneiicc iu molding the public sentiment of her 
people, and dir-ecting her destiny. Many news- 
papers have been started in the countj', strong at 
first in the hoiie of continuous life, but which to-day 
(piietly sleep in the journalistic cemetery. 

The lust newspaper to present itself (vr the 
good-will of the people of Lee County was the 
Western Adoetiturer in the year 18:36, and was pub- 
lished by Dr. Isaac Galland, at Montrose. He 
struggled with the enterprise and with the limited 
field of patronage of that day for about two years, 
and finding it not a ver}' remunerative one. Mild 
out his project to James (■. Edwards, who moved 
the ollice to Ft. Madison and started the Ft. Mad- 
ison Pcitriol. As the population increased the press 
multiplied, and became one of the potent powers 
iu advertising the interests of the countN', and de- 
veloping its resources. 

The organization of political parties began be- 
fore the county was organized, and while the ter- 
ritory of which it is composed was a part of JJes 
Moines County. The onlj' parties then known to 
the country were the Whig and Democratic parties. 
At the time politics were introduced here Henry 
J. Campbell was the leading exponent of the Dem- 
ocratic party, and Isaac 11. Cami)bell, of the Whig 
party. From the first the Democrats were iu the 
lead, and so continued until during the Rebellion, 
when for a time the Republicans held the power. 
The Democracy here was much after the old Jack- 
sonian kind, and if it is at all diluted at the present 
day, it is so slight that it is hardly perceptible. In 
local issues, however, party lines were often disre- 
garded. 

In religious matters the people of the ccninty 
have been very zealous. There is hardly a little 
hamlet in the county but has its house of worship, 
or .1 religious organization. 

From the time that Father Marquette raised the 
cross by the beautiful waters of the Des Moines, and 
sent forth the first invo<-ation to the Deit}- from thi> 
territory, the first at least after the manner of the 



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niiimnymain TTirT. fc 




21 



LEE COUNTY. 



Christian, to the present daj-. what a change there 
has beenl From the one low voice ascending in 
supplication to God at the foot of that cross upon 
which was crucified the jiurest and most sul)lime 
character that ever dwelt on earth, there are now 
thousands. From the one cross then erected in the 
lonelj' wilderness, remote even from the liorders of 
Christianit3% there are now hundreds. It would 
not seem hard now for the people to attend their 
devotions: to go to their places of worship, at- 
tracted thereto bj' their elegant church edifices 
and fine music. In these halcj'on days of Chris- 
tianity it would seem a luxury to serve the Master, 
rather than a cross. But how was it with the good 
Father Marquette i Let those who in the present 
day sit in the soft cushioned pews of their elegant 
churches, or kneel at the altar erected around 
their ow^n happy firesides, surrounded by all the 
refinements of the present civilization, give one 
thought to that devout man who, within the bor- 
ders of this county, far away from his own race, 
alone amid a wild, untutored jieople, sent up the 
first offering to Heaven from the foot of the cross 
he had erected ; and who, a few short months later, 
on the bank of another stream not far away erected 
another cross, and kneeling down by it, passed to 
that summerland while breathing out his soul to 
God. 

It is now something less than threescore years 
and ten since actual settlement began here by the 
white man, and still later when the red men, the 
nomads of the forest and the original owners of 
this soil, bid adieu to the home of their fathers, 
and turning their face toward the setting sun, left 
this land forever. 

It was here he built his wigwam, chased the 
wild game through forest and field ; it was here he 
floated over the great Father of Waters and moored 



his canoe upon its beautiful banks. These days 
have passed, and how great the change 1 Where 
once the Indian roamed free as the air, there now 
are cultivated farms; where once rested his rude 
hut, there are now beautiful, thriving cities; where 
once was heard his wild whoop, there now come 
and go the sounds of civilization; where every- 
thing was wild and crude, and science and mechan- 
ism unknown, the arts and industries of the present 
century are fully developed. 

Very brief indeed, has been the time for so groat 
a change; yet brief though it be, the transforma- 
tion has been great. The foundation of all this 
was laid by the pioneer, and the superstructure was 
completed by those who followed him. 'I'here arc 
manj', however, present to-day who were at the be- 
ginning, and who aided in the process of develop- 
ment. They can take a retrospective view of the 
past and have a vivid comprehension of the change 
that has been wrought; they can view with pride 
the great achievements in which they have taken 
so active a part. 

In taking the horoscope of the future, we are as- 
sured that development will not stop here. The 
people of Lee are of that character that warrants 
this prediction. Unless the}' ignore the lessons of 
the past, unless thej' forget their cunning, then- 
march will be onward and upward, accomplishing 
more in the coming sixty years than has l)een done 
in the past. 

So fair is the land with its culture and civiliza- 
tion, so beautiful its scenerj\ with its valleys and 
hills, its groves and fields, and the great Mississipj)! 
ever rolling on to the sea; so promising the future, 
with so much to make life pleasant, that the citi- 
zen returning home from his travels might trul}^ say. 

Where'er 1 roam, wliatcver icalins to see, 
y\y lieart nutravi^ril tuiidlv ninis tn tlii'e. 








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NK of the great auxiliaries in 
the develdpmeiit of a new 
country as well as in tlie 
niainteiiaiiee of an nhl one, 
ni^.-^T,^!^--.^'' , 'V-.- i is till' press. In either of 
b^ii A rrs '-^^ tiie. two conditions— in a 
new community or in an old civiliza- 
tion — -its power is potential. If it is 
able, conscientious, then the greater 
is its sphere of usefulness. In this 
nineteenth centur}' it is the great 
educator of the masses, the promul- 
gator of reform, the ventilator of 
abuses, and the medium through 
whicli the daily events of the world are received. 
With the electFic wires now Hasliing the news 
around tlie world, the daily newspaper has become 
a necessity to the active man, and indispensable to 
the man of business. To it we also look for the 
champion of our political theories, and the repre- 
sentative of our system of (iovernment. It is the 
paladium of our liberties, doing guard duty at the 
outposts of freedom, that no enemy may a])proach 
unawares its sacred altar. 

The second paper published within the territory 
now embraced by the State of Iowa, was at Mont- 
rose, within the borders of Lee County, and was 



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edited liy Dr. Isaac Galland. The fii'st newspaper 
was (juliiished by William C. .loues, at Dubuque, E ;: 
and was called liu' Duljuipie Visitor. The first is- 
sue of this [japer was Jlay 11, 1S;5(;. Dr. (ialland's 
paper came out .soon after this and was called the 
Western Adventurer. 

Proljably the oldest paper pulilished in the .State 
continuously, is the Ft. JNIadison I'/uindealer, al- 
though under different names, but willi the same 
plant with additions and inii)rovements. It was 
first issued in 1H41 at Ft. INIadi.son as the Courier. 

The editors of the Lee Count}' press liave been, 
and are at present, men of unusual ability and E 
strong character and worth, who have discharged p 
their duties with a conscientiousness and a consid 
eraticm for the best interests of the county, in a E; 
degree highly commenilable. Except to mention |j 
them it is not our purpose to give the history of ;| 
papers that are not published at the present time. ■' 
The- Western Adcenturer, of which mention has 
been made, was sold out to James G. Edwards, and 
merged into the Ft. Madison Patriot, the first num- 
ber being issued at that place March 28, 1838. It 
was this paper which suggested that Hawkeye be |j|i 
the cognomen of the State. It was a twenty-eight- 
column folio, and strong in the Whig faitii. After 
the Territory of Iowa wasestalilislied.it was uKived 
to Burlington, then tlie capital. 



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Tlie Plaiiirtealer. 

?>HE Ft. Marlisuu Daily Flaindealer is the 
outgrowth of the Courier, the first issue of 
which appeared July 24, 1841, at Ft. Madi- 
son, by R. W. Albright. It was neutral in politics. 
The first issue contained a description of the towns 
in the county. The i)opulation of Ft. Madison at 
that time was estimated at 700 ; that of Keokuk at 
160. In December of that year W. E. Mason pur- 
chased an interest in the paper, when the name was 
changed to the Lee County Democrat, muX it became 
an organ of the Democratic party. In 1842 Mason 
sold his interest to O. S. X. Peck. Soon after Mr. 
Albright bought out Peck's interest and became 
sole proprietor. In 1847 Mr. Albright sold out to 
George II. Williams, who changed the name to the 
loiL-a Statesman. Newspaper life did not seem con- 
genial to Mr. Williams, and he soon sold out to J. 
D. Spaulding, who edited it until 1857, when Lewis 
V. Taft and others purchased it, and the name was 
changed to the Ft. Madison Plaindealer. 

Mr. Taft held the paper for four years, laboring 
for the interests of the Democratic party, when he 
sold out to Messrs. J. D. Storms, B. Grossman and 
A. .Stoddard. This firm changed several times, 
when in July, 18.511, W. P. Staub purchased the en- 
tire plant. For about two years, during Mr. 
Staub's proprietorship, Dr. A. C. Roberts conduct- 
ed the editorial pages. In the spring of 1801 Mr. 
Staub, in connection with his weekly, issued a 
daily, called the Gem City Telegraph, this not 
being a financial success, .and in July, 1863, Mr. 
Staub sold out to William Caftrey, with the condi- 
tion that the paper was to continue a Democratic 
organ. 

Mr. Caffrejf took possession in August, but did 
not adhere to the con<litions of the purchase ; on 
the contrary, he changed it to a stanch Republican 
journal. To the principles of this party it has been 
attached ever since. The paper passed into several 
hands, and was finally purchased by J. (t. Wilson, 
who edited it awhile, and June 4, 1885, it became 
the property of J. H. Duffus, the present pro- 
prietor. At this time it was a six-column quarto 
weekly. Sejitember 1 of that year, Mr. Dujf us start- 
ed a daily. This had been done by Mr. Wilson, liut 
the enterprise had been abandoned. 



moi-ning. and the weekly is 

issued every Thursday. Mr. Duffus has only recent-' 
iy come from Des Moines, and has invested quite 
largely in real estate in Ft. Madison, as well as iuC 
newspaper stock. He has made large additions to i 
the plant, including a job office and a steam power J 
press. The Flaindealer is a bright, newsy sheet, | 
and ably conducted. Mr. Duffus is giving his 
time and energies to his iiaper, and has materially 
increa.sed its circulation and influence. It is now 
one of the prominent Republican journals of the 
State. The advocacy of the principles of the Re- 
publican partly and its interests, are the editor's 
first thoughts, and to these he is enthusiastically de- 
voted. It is earnest and effective in its efforts to- 
ward the building up of Ft. Madison, and increas- 
ing its prosperity. 




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i^^^HLS paper was started under the name of the 
{((^^ Keokuk Daily Whig, its first issue appear- 
^^^ iug March 2, 1854, with James B. Howell 
as editor and proprietor. It was a Hve-column 
folio, and depended for its news from the outside 
world upon the river packets, the stage coach and 
the pony mail. In those days local news was not 
a marked feature in journalism. Railroads at that 
time had not reached Iowa, though the railroad 
fever was here. 

After the first year of publication the name of 
the paper was changed to that which it now bears, 
which was received with general approbation, the 
name being considered very suggestive. Its circu- 
lation as well as its advertising list at that time was 
but small in comparison with the extensive patron- 
age it enjoys to-day, and the difference between 
the two periods in regard to the paper, fairly repi-e- 
sents the difference in Keokuk then and now. Dur- 
ing the panic of 1857, the Gate Oil// made a heroic 
struggle to weather the storm, and was successful, 
passing safely into port without missing an issue. 

The associates of Mr. Howell in editorial work 
during his connection with the paper, were Mr. 



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Cowles, who had been connected with the Valley 
Wliif/. and who subsequently died in the .South; .1. 
K. Brigg.s, «ii<i died in Washington in 1.S73; Will- 
iam Hiehards and S. M. (lark. They were all gen- 
tlemen of education ami aliilily, and unusually fine 
writers. Of the latter we shall speak hereafter. 
During the period above referred to. .1. AV. Dcla- 
plain, who was connected with the W/'flbj Win]/ 
from its first issue, in March. 184U, became inter- 
ested in the paper, and was business manager. 

In .Ma3'. 1 .s5ij, the paper was enlai-ged to a six- 
column, and the followin;; year to a seven-column 
folio, keeping up with the growth of the countr}'. 
In April the paper was enlarged by lengthening 
the columns. In 1 i^.'ilt, owing to causes produced l)y 
the panic, it was reduced to six columns. It was 
not, however, the character of its managers to as- 
sume a retrograde movement for any length of 
time, and we soon find the Gate City again enlarg- 
ing its borders, and making rapid strides forward. 
•It continued to improve its office and enlarge its 
size until March 4, 18i^3, when it was changed to a 
six-column eight- page paper, its present stj'le. The 
plant is now a very complete one, liaving a C'ot- 
trell & Babcock cylinder press, and the Uexter cut-, 
ting, pasting and folding machine. 

The Gat« Vitij is the onl}' morning paper issued at 
Ke<)kuk. Its circulation is large, and covers a wide 
expanse of territory. The Weekly Gate City after 
many changes is now a six-column, twelve-p.age 
paper, neatlj' printed and ixhXy edited, and is one of 
the most extensively circulated weeklies west of the 
Mississippi. 

J. B. Howell became owner of the Gate City in 
December, 18G0, and so continued until 1863, when 
he sold an interest to .1. W. Delaplain, which interest 
he retained until 18(5(;, when he sold back again his 
interest to Mr. Howell. Mr. Howell remained pro- 
prietor until he was elected to the .Senate of the 
United States, in 1870, when .S. M. Clark entered 
into partner.ship with him, and became editor-in- 
chief. Prior to this, however, Jesse B., son of James 
B. Howell, became business manager, and in 1879 
acquired an interest in the paper. James B. How- 
ell died in June, 1880, and his interest reverted to 
his son, since which time there has been no change 
either in the ownership or management. 



To Mr. James B. Howell is due the credit of 
fonnding ami laiildinii up the Uati- City. His im- 
personation was felt <jn every page from the first 
issue of tiie pai>er until he withdrew from its 
actual control ami took his seat in the Sen- 
ale. His intluencc was potential in molding and 
directing the public sentiment of the State, and 
Iowa is largely indebted to him for its advanced 
position of to-day. To this eminent journalist no 
better successor probably could have been found 
than S. M. (I.ark, who became connected with the 
paper in I S(;4, and who has directed its editorial 
affairs since Mr. Howell's letircment. He has also 
at all times been earnest and .-ilile in advocating 
measures for the advancement of Keokuk, and of 
the State, and is enthusiastically devoted to the 
principles of the Heiuiblican party, of which he is 
a prominent member. 

The Gate City, through its able management, has 
become one of the leading journals of the State, at 
all times taking high ground in matters of reform 
and advancemenf. It has been an effective auxil- 
iary to the growth of the city of Keokuk, and to it 
she owes in a large measure her present commercial 
condition. 

Tin- Keokuk Constitution. 

HIS paper is the outgrowth of the Keokuk 
Dispati-li, the first issue of which was cast 
before the reading world May 20, 1848, and 
through a series of developments and changing of 
names it h.as reached its present commanding po- 
sition as a commercial paper and a Democratic or- 
gan. The Democratic party, pi'ior to the establish- 
ment of the Dispatch, had but one organ in the 
county, the Lee County Democrat, published at Ft. 
Madison, and the .advocates of this party deemeil 
it very essential that they should have a journal to 
represent their principles; hence the establishment of 
the Dispatch, the beginning of Democratic journal- 
ism in Keokuk, and what might be called the Lake 
Itasca of the Constitution. It was started under 
the proprietorship of John B. Russell and Reu- 
ben L. Doyle, who were newspaper men, of con- 
siderable culture, and writers of ability'. Russell 



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sold out his interest to Doyle in the spring of 
1849, but remained with the Dispatch as associate 
editor until he was carried off to another world b_v 
cholera, in July, IhioO. 

There were many changes in the ownership of the 
paper, when, in October, 1855, it came into the 
possession of D. Reddington, who changed the 
name to the Saturda;/ Post. Prior to this, in Jan- 
nary, 1855, Mr. Reddington started a daily, to 
which he gave the very expressive, if not euphoni- 
ous, name of JSFip and Tuck. Thinking perhaps that 
the name of his venture did not have a very flow- 
ing sound, and probablj' to atone in some degree 
for the indignity he had put upon it, he changed 
the name the following Februarj' to the Mornimj 
Glory. It must have been this feeling that caused 
the change, for in this climate the plant had not 
yet put out its beautiful blossoms to greet the eye. 
Reddington sold out the Morning Glory in .Septem- 
ber to A. T. Walling and Ur. Hussey. In January, 
1858, Mr. Reddington sold out, the Post t^j Will- 
iam Rees & Sons, who published it until 1860. 

The Morainy Glory was consolidated with the 
Daily limes, a paper which liad been started in 
July, 1855, soon after its purchase by Walling & 
Hussey. Subsequently thej' sold out to Charles D. 
Kirli, from Luuisville. Ky., who, in November, 
1857, issued the first number of the Keoivuk Daily 
Journal. Mr. Kirk also publislied a weekly. The 
weekly and daily Journal was sold by Jlr. Kirk to 
Newton, Hussey & Givin. This firm became em- 
barrassed financially-, in May, ISo'J, and the paper 
jit passed int(j tiic hands of Charles Smith, who con- 
ducted it until December, IStil, when it was pur- 
chased by Thomas W. Clagett under a sale of fore- 
closure. Mr. Clagett changed the name of the 
paper tu the Constitution^ and under his judicious 
and able management it toolv a i)ositi(ju as one of 
the leading Democratic journals of the State. 
Charles Smith, who was an able writer, was the link 
which connected the merging journals with the 
Constitution, and was retained as associate editor. 
He was a man of brains and [jossessed of many at- 
tractive (lualities and accomplishments. He was 
modest and unassuming, loved his friends, and pre- 
ferred to bi- wilii them r.-ifiior tlian with the public 
in general. 



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For about ten years the Constitution was con- 
tinued as a morning paper, when its publication 
was changed to the evening. Judge Clagett died**^^^ 
in April, 1876, and his daughter. Sue H. Clagett, 
conducted the pai)er until July following, when itp 
was purchased by John Gibbons, H. W. Clendenin," 
George Smith and Thomas Rees, who conducted it 
under the firm style of John Gibbons & Co., Mr.^ 
Gibbons assuming editorial charge. Thomas W. 
Eichelberger, who had been connected with the 
paper from 1874, as citj' editor, retained his posi- 
tion. He was a witty and versatile writer, and an 
amiable and pleasant companion. He resigned his 
position on the Constitution and took a [ilace on 
the Toledo Comniercial. Subsequentlj' he became 
night editor of the Des Moines State Reyister. Soon [ 
after this he sickened and died. His demise oc- 
curred April 4, 1880, and his remains were buried 
in the little cemetery at Bloomfield, Iowa. 

In April, 1877, John Gibbons sold his interest to 
the other members of the firm, which became Smith, 
Clendeniu & Rees, Clendenin taking charge of the 
editorial department. John Gibbons, who was a 
lawj'er by profession, went to Chicago, and entered 
upon the practice of his profession, and achieved 
success. In June, 1881, the Constitution was 
purchased by a stock company which had been 
organized, since which time the paper has been en- 
larged and many improvements made in all the 
I departments. In 1884 the new Constitution build- 
; ing was completed. It stands on Sixth street, 
j between Main and Bloudeau, and is an imposing 
structure. It is oOx'JO feet, three stories and base- 
ment, and constructed of brick and stone, aud is 
1 heated )jy steam. 

With tiie Constitution lias been added the Tri- 

I State Printing Company, which occupies a large 

! portion of the building, and where ofHcial books l!i 

I aud blanks for the States of Missouri, Iowa and 

, Illinois can be had, and the largest supply of goods 

carried by any similar establishment in Iowa. A 

complete job office, witli book-binding, is also one 

of the features of the Constitution. 

When the Constitution went into tiie iiands of 
tlie stock company, the editorial and business 
management wa,s placed in charge of Dr. W. A. 
George, who was ably assisted by his brother, 






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LEE COUNTY. 



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Byron George. It has a large and constantly in- 
creasing patronage, and is one of the leading coni- 
niereial papers in this section of the c-<»initry. It is 
condncted under a thorough system and by men 
ivho understand journalism. Its circulation is not 
confined to Iowa, but is extended into Illinuis and 
Missouri. With its increase of patronage, caused by 
its able management and its aid in the development 
of the resources of Keokuk, and its strong advocacy 
of Democratic principles, it has also come to the 
front as the leading organ of its party in the State. 

Keokuk Deiiiocrilt. 

dr^^^HIS journal is comparatively a new enter- 
prise. It was established .Jan. 1), IfSfSJi, by 
r. R. Nelson Jc Co. It was started as a five- 
column folio, and, as its name indicates, Democratic 
in politics. In Januar3-, 1.S84, it was purch.ased by 
a stock company-, and under that management C. 
Maxwell was editor. This management continued 
until March, If^SG, when the paper was purchased 
by Madden, Eichorn & Bechtold, who held it for a 
short time, and then sold out to Charles A. War- 
wick and Robert S. Ranson. In .September they 
enlargeil the paper to a seven-column folio, and 
made it independent in politics. 

Since the Democral came under the management 
of the above-named gentlemen, it has taken on 
new life and vitality'. Its circulation has been 
largelj' increased, and it is dsaly augmenting. It 
has also a good job ofHcc, which is receiving a 
liberal patronage. The Demmrdt is a bright newsy 
paper, issued every evening, containing the news 
of the day, full of local matters of interest, and is 
an ably conducted journal. It is constantly in- 
creasing in popularity, and under the management 
of its live and energetic owners it will soon take a 
front rank among the leading papers of the State. 

Ft. MiHlisoii Dt-iiHX r:it. 



H )t^^,IiOMINENT among the positive and lead- 
u )l) ing Democratic papers of the State of Iowa 
to-day, stands the Ft. Madi.s<5n DenKicmf, 
._ ^ which was founded by that old and prom- 
inent citizen, and radical disciple of the party. Dr. 
C. Roberts, on the aiuiiversar^' day of our 



national independence, in the year 1869. It was a 




six-column folio, and located on Pine street. In 
1879 the plant was moved into the new Imilding 
which was erected for it on the corner of .Second 
and Cedar streets. In December, 1877, the paper 
was changed to a six-column quarto. 

The Dcmnrrat is now conducted by Dr. Roberts 
and his two sons, Nelson C, who is the business 
manager, ami Edward M., who has charge of the 
local department. The circulation is about ■2.400, 
and the paper is issued every Wednesday. It is 
printed on a cylinder press which is operated by 
steam. A good job department is one of the feat- 
ures of the Democrat office. The agricultural de- 
partment of the paper is in charge of W. (4. Kent, 
and that of the children, of Mrs. E. A. Burklioldcr. 
Dr. Roberts gives his attention particularly to the 
political department, in which he feels at home. 

The Democrat is well edited and in all its depart- 
ments well C(jnducted. It is an attractive paper, 
full of interesting reading matter, and has an eye 
always to the windward for political barges, while 
the interests of its patrons are never overlooked. 

Kepiiblicau Herald. 

illE Republican Herald was established Nov. 

(J. 1884, by .T. II. and E. II. Hardin. 

It was a five-column quarto, Republican in 
politics, and was called the Lee CinitUji Jiejniblican. 
In November, 188,5, it was consolidated with the 
Mt. Pleasant Herald, a Greenback paper which had 
been printed in Mt. Pleasant for about ten j-ears, 
the plant of which was brought to Ft. Madison 
under the name of the Lee County Bepvltlican- 
Herald, and enlarged to an eight-column folio. In 
the spring of 1 886 it became independent in politics, 
with .Joseph Williams .as editor. The Republican- 
Herald is a week!}' paper with a fair circulation, 
well condncted, and devoted to the interest of Ft. 
Madison ;nid the development of the county. 
Keokuk Post. 
^IIE Post is the outgrowth of the Beubachter 

des Wextens (Western Obserrer), the first 

(ierman paper established in Keokuk. Its 
first issue was in 1853, when it was published by 
William Kopp. In 18r(7 lie sold out to Leopold 
^ladcr, and in is.jw Christ. Mueller became pro- 
prietor. iMlnmnd Jaeger succeeded Mueller in the 



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LEE COUNTY. 



proin'ietorship of the paper, aiul soon thereafter it 
was burned down. .Judge Jaeger was followed b}- 
Mr. Rattick, and he, after a brief period, sold out 
to .Jacob AVholwend & Serth in 18G2. Subse- 
quently they sold out to Rinker At Althaus. In 
1865 Mr. Wholweiid [lurchased Rinker's interest, 
and the firm became Wholwend it Althaus. In 
18(19 Eniil Bischof lieeanie sole proprietor of this 
paper and conducted it until 1874, when he sold to 
Charles Norman, who in Februar}', 1877, sold to 
Adolph Wulff. During these various ownerships 
the name of the paper was changed first to the Keo- 
kuk Deutsrlip Zeitung, and then to the Keokuk 
Telegrajili. 

On Jan. 1, 1886, the i)aper was purchased b^' 
Hinzel Bros., and enlarged to a seven-column 
quarto. The^' purchased from Bechtold & Son, 
who had it from Wulff, who had conducted it four 
years. The name was changed to the Keokuk 
Post, and it was made a pronounced Democratic 
paper. It had always been independent in politics, 
leaning, however, to Democracy. The Post has a 
liberal circulation, is ablj' conducted, and is the 
representative of the German people in this section 
of the countr}'. 

West Point Appeal. 

ON the 1st of October, 1881, the first issue of 
this newsy sheet greeted the public for the 
first time, its first issue being made October 
1. It was started b^' Allison Leadle3', and came 
forth to the reading people of Lee County as a 
seven-column folio, independent in politics, and 
liberal in religion. Mr. Leadley conducted the 
Appeal about one 3'ear,when he took Arthur How- 
ard in as a partner. This arrangement lasted 
about one year, when Leadley sold out his interest 
to Albert Webster. This firm conducted it for a 
time and then sold to H. W. Wright, who was suc- 
ceeded by H. Johnson. In March, 1886, E. II. 





Thomas purchased the office, and is the present pro- 
prietor and editor. 

A job department is connected with the office of 
the Appi'al. It has a liberal circulation; is a bright, 
newsy sheet and well edited. Its editor believes 
in West Point, and through the columns of his paper 
never fails to present its attractions and advantages 
in the most favorable light. 

Lee County Record. 

T Donnellson this paper was started bj' Lew 
AValters and J. M. Banks, Feb. 12, 
1886. It was a six-column folio, and in- 
dependent in politics, and was continued 
by this firm until August 27, when it was purchased 
by the stock association of which John Haffner was 
President. Lew Walters w.as retained as editor and 
manager. 

The Record is run in the interest of the tax payers' 
association of Lee Countj\ During the last elec- 
tion it supported the claims of Mr. Haffner, who 
was elected Sujjervisor. It has been earnest in its 
labors for the association whose interests it repre- 
sents. 

The Knigiit'.s Sworrt and Helmet, 

MONTHLY magazine bearing the above 
title is published at Ft. Madison, and devot- 
ed almost entirely to the Knights of Pythias, 
whose cause it most ably advocates. It is 
published by the Pythian Printing Company, and 
is in its tenth volume. H. W. Dodd is manager, 
and is an experienced newspaper man. Through 
his skillful management this magazine has secured 
a large circulation, and has become the leading ex- 
ponent of this order. 

The iWb;) ('tor is another magazine which is under 
the same management, and similarly conducted, 
but is devoted to the interests of the Odd Fellows' 
Order. 




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'AILROADS form one of tlie 
most, im|iort:iiit factoi's in the 
ileNi'lopuu'iit of a new coun- 
try, :in(l are indispensable to 
till' enjoyment of an old and 
well-estal)lisiied State. They 
haye largely aided in the open- 
ing up of our liroad domains, and 
•have been most potential in the ad- 
vancement of our civilization. 
Sloxv, indeed, vvoukl have been the 
development of this country had 
there been no raihxiads to aid the 
l)eople with their rapid transporta- 
tion. It is now sixty years since 
the first railroad track was Laid in this country. 
From the year 1827, which marks an epoch in the 
history of this nation — -that ye.ar which was the 
Oenesis of our railway .system — improvements in 
every dep.Mrtment of railro.ading have gone steadily 
on, until to-day there arc about l.')ij,0()0 miles of 
^ railway track in the United States, extending from 
ocean to ocean, spanning a continent, and pene- 
yj trating every State and Territory in the Union. 

The agitation of railroad enterprises in J^ee 
County began at an early date, in fact, :d)out as 
early as in any county in the State, the first pro- 
ject being what was nicknamed the Ranrs-Ilorn, 
on account of its crooked route. 'J'his was a pro- 
posed road running from Keokuk to J>ubuque, and 



was agitated as early as is.'jl. It was supported I 
hy the leading politicians and newspapers of that 3 
day. The movers and advocates of this railroad c 
confidently asserted that it was to run through t! 
every count}', and call at nearly every man's door; p 
hence its opponents gave it the name of the " Kam's- 
Horn." Gen. Thomas J. McKean, of Marion, 
Lum County, was the chief engineer of this road, 
but was honest and sincere in his efforts, and had 
nothing to do with the political or speculative part 
of it. This pixiject, hi>wever, came to nothing. 
Railroad agitation still went on, ami in Iis.tS the 
mania for aiding railroads and other public enter- E 
prises reached the county. It is our purpose only s 
to briert}' mention the railroads of the count}", b 
The first line upon which actual work was begun 5 
was the 

KKOKIK, OKS MOINKS ,li MINNKSOTA KAIl.KOAl). 




In 1 <S.').> this company was orgaiii/.ed. Its object B' 
was to construct a road from Keokuk up the Oes K; 
Moines \'alley to Ft. Des Moines, and thence on to E' 
Minnesota. A survey was made of this route in ;! 
l.S;",4, and in 1855 the contract was let for' its con- 3|;J 
strnction, and work commenced. This i)rogressed 
for two 3'ears, and in 1857 the line was completed 
to Rentonsport. Work was then suspended until 
181)0, when it was resumed, and the track was ex- 
tended as far as Eddyville. In 1S(;4 it waslinished 
to Des Moines. This gave the people of the county J 



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direct conininnication by rail witli tlie capital of 
the State, and opened up the l)es IMoines ^'alley. 

KEOKUK, JIT. I'LEASANT * MUSCATINE KAILliOAO. 

A company was organized for the construction 
of this road in 1854. W(.rlv was commenced at 
Keokuk in 18o5, and in 1S.')G the track was com- 
pleted as far as Montrose. The citizens of Keokuk 
gave liberal aid to this enterprise, and aid was also 
given bj' some ()f the commercial men of St. Louis. 
The completion of this line was of almost incalcula- 
ble value to the country triliutary to the Missis- 
sippi above the rapids. 

While this road was being constructed to Mont- 
rose, the citizens of Ft. Madison built a line to 
Viele, and during the year 1857, the former com- 
pany extended their track to that place, thus con- 
necting by rail Keokuk and Ft. Madison. No 
further work was done on this road until it passed 
into the possession of that great railway company, 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney, in 1869. As 
j soon as this company secured the road, active work 
began, and in 1870 the line was completed to Bur- 
lington, thus connecting by rail, Keokuk with Bur- 
lington and the great city of the lakes. 

BURLINOTON & SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD. 

Another railroad enterprise to start, in which 
Keokuk was interested, was the Burlington & South- 
western in 1869. This company was organized at 
j Burlington, and had its headquarters there. The 
\ construction of this line started from Viele, using 
ij the track, from this place to Burlington, of the C, 
B. & Q. Work was commenced in 1870, and the 
track was completed to Farmington, in Van 15uren 
County, the following spring. 

MISSOURI, lOWA A NEBRASKA RAILROAD. 

This enterprise was first started by E. P. Buell, 
of Warsaw, 111., and some capitalists of Clark 
County, Mo., in 1867. In 18C8 Gen. Drake and 
his associates took hold of the road, re-organizing 
the compau}' and changing the route. The track 
was completed from Alexandria, Mo., to Centerville, 
Iowa, in 1874. The following year the line was 
extended to Keokuk. 

• FT. MADISON i- NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD. 

This is a narrow gauge road, and is a project of 



ES3' 



the people of Ft. Madison. The C(>m[)any was or- 
ganized in 1871. It was far-reaching in its aims, 
its objective [loint being Council liluffs, via West 
Point, Biriniiighani, Fiiirchild and Oskaloosa. The 
purposes of this comi)any were not realized. It 
was completed to CoUett, a distance of forty-five 
miles from Ft. Madison. Collett was rjpached about 
three years ago. It has been niucii improved of 
late under tlic able management of C. A. (iilchrist. 

sr. LOllS, KEOKl K ,(i NORTHERN RAILROAD. 

This railroad project was started in 1872 by E. 
P. Buell, of ^^'aI■saw, III., and citizens of Alexan- 
dria, Mo., who organized a company for the pur- 
pose of constructing a line from Alexandria down 
the west bank of the Mississipj)!, to a point oppo- 
site f^uiiicy, 111. This part of the road was com- 
pleted in 1874. Sulisequently it was extended 
north to Keokuk, and south to St. Louis. It is 
now owned by the C'iiicago, Burlington & (^uincy. 

The railroad lines in Lee County as now operated, 
may be stated as follows: The Chicago, Burling- 
ton & (^iiincy — Burlington branch; the Chicago, 
Rock Island it Pacific — the Keokuk and Des 
Moines branch, which meets the main line at Eldon ; 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific — the Clayton branch, 
which terminates at Keokuk; the St. Louis, Keokuk 
& Northern, running from Keokuk to St. Louis, 
and owned by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 
but operated as an independent branch ; the Mis- 
souri, Iowa & Nebraslva, running from Keokuk to 
Humeston, Iowa; the Toledo, Peoria & Western, 
running from Keokuk to the State line of Indiana; 
Keokuk & Northwestern, running from Keokuk 
to Mt. Pleasant; Chicago, Burlington ife Kansas 
City, owned by the Chicajjo, Burlington tt (Quincy. 
This road, in coming into Keokuk, uses the main 
line of the Keokuk & Northwestern from Donnell- 
son; the Ft. Madison it Northwestern Narrow 
Gauge, which runs from Ft. Madison westward 
through West Point, terminating at Collett. 

The Wabash also runs a train into KecjUuk. With 
all these railroad lines in operation, Lee County, it 
will be admitted, is most liberally supi)lied with 
transportation facilities. It might be interesting 
to our patrons to state that .1. H. Tewksbury, now 
an honored citizen of Ft. Madison, sold the first 
railroad ticket that was issued at Keokuk. 






LEE COUNTY. 



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() city in the llawkeye State, 
in its early history, was better 
iviiown than Keokuk. It is 
the general opinion that it 
was first settled l)y Dr. Sam- 
'« nel C. Muir, a surgeon in 
^^ the United States Army, 
in 1820, a brief personal 
sketch of whom will be found in 
the general history of this ai.iu .\i. 
Dr. Muir, with his Indian family, 
only lived here for a few j'ears, 
and then moved into the north- 
ern settlements. Some time inter- 
vened between this settlement and 
the next, which occurred during 
the winter of 1827-28, by Moses 
Stillwell, a carijenter, who came 
up from St. Louis accompanied bj' his family, 
and a boy by the name of Valencourt Vanausdol, 
who is still living here. For many years there 
was no fixed name to distinguish this place. It 
was severally called " Puck-e-she-tuck Point," 
Foot of the Rapids, etc. According to Dr. Isaac 
Galhuul, a creditable authority, the place at the 
Foot of the Rapids received its christening at a 
little 4th of July celebration, in 1829, held by a 
few steamboat men, whose craft was lying at the 
foot of what is now Miiin street. The meeting 
was presided over by Col. George Davenport, and 
during the festivities the name of Keokuk was 
given to the settlement, in honor of the chief of 



the Sac tribe, who had always been friendly to the' 
white people. From that time on it has borne this 
name. 

Some time prior to the 3^ear 1830, the American 
Fur Company had established a trading-post here. 
It put up a row of cabins for its quarters, which in 
subsecpieut years was rather disrespectfully nick- 
named Hat Row. Gathered about this fur com- 
pany's quarters in difl'erent kinds of employment 
were about a dozen men who, with those herett>fore 
mentioned, formed the population at Keokuk up to 
1831. It might I )e mentioned that all of the em- 
ployes of the fur companj- iiad Indian women for 
wives. In the spring of 1831, Isaac R. Campbell 
moved down from Nashvill<? and identified himself 
with the town by engaging in the mercantile busi- 
ness with Dr. Muir. After the Black Hawk War 
the settlements became more frequent, and in a few 
years Keokuk became quite a little village. In 1837 
it was platted by Dr. Galland. Mr. Campbell sold 
out what he called his potato patch upon the side 
of the hill, during the spring of that year, to Dr. 
Galland, who represented the New York Land 
Company. The town was laid off by Mr. Hraltle, 
an engineer who came over from Ft. Edwards. Dr. 
Galland received a very limited education when 
young, but was a man of strong intellectual power. 
This he used to such good advantage that he be- 
came a pretty well educated man; was a good phy- 
sician and a fair lawyer, and was well versed in 
ancient and modern history. He was a man of good 
presence, gentle and polite, full of adventure and 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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foiicl of travel. When quite young he went to New 
Mexico, and was there seized by the Spanish au- 
thorities on suspicion of having some evil designs 
against the Government, and was confined for one 
year in an adobe prison at Santa Fe. Upon his re- 
lease he returned to the United States, locating for 
a while in Indiana. In 1854 he went to California. 
Returning in 1 855, he bought a residence at Ft. 
Madison, where he lived until his death. He was 
a man of undaunted courage, and a pure type of 
the frontiersman. See sketch of Washington Gal- 
land. 

The first regular hotel was opened in 1840, and 
known as the Keokuk House. L. B. Fleak was the 
proprietor. It was a three-story house, constructed 
of split timber and weather-boarded, and provided 
with green cottonwood partitions. This hostelry 
had the honor at one time (1841) of lodging the 
Prince De Joinville and suite, who were on their re- 
tui'n from Green Bay, where they had been in 
quest of the lost and much looked-for Bourbon heir 
to the throne of France. 

The first school taught here was in 1 8.33, bj' 
Jesse Creighton, a shoemaker bj^ trade. It was a 
private school and his pupils numbered eight. 

A post-office was opened in 1841, in the hotel, 
■with L. B. Fleak as Postmaster. About this period 
the population was estimated at 150 souls. 

The first church building erected was by the 
Catholic society, in 1838. After the year 1842, 
emigration came in quite freely, and in the early 
part of the year 1848 the inhabitants numbered 
upward of 2,000. Its future seemed secure, and 
the people thought it deserving of city honors. 
Measures were accordingly taken to this end. The 
town was incorporated under the act of the General 
Assemblj', approved Feb. 23, 1847. The first 
election was held Jan. 3, 1848. AVilliam A. Clark 
was elected Mayor, and the first meeting of the 
Council was held January 10 following. In look- 
ing over the names of tlie city officials from the 
first to the present time, we find the names of Keo- 
kuk's best citizens. F^rom them there could be 
nothing less than an honest and able Government, 
and one administered in the interest of the city. 
The present Mayor is James C. Davis. 

Keokuk is largely a manufacturing city. Its 



wholesale trade is its pride and the envy of other 
cities. The pioneers of the jobbing trade and the 
manufacturing enterprises, were public-spirited, 
far-seeing men, and planned much better than they 
knew. Their successors have been apt scholars, 
and these branches of Inisiness to-day are on a 
solid foundation, extending their trade into Illin(;is, 
Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Indian Ter- 
ritory, Texas and the Western Territories. The 
retail trade, also, is excellent, and some of the retail 
stores would do credit to any city. 

The next important enterprise that was completed 
was the Keokuk & Hamilton Bridge across the Mis- 
sissippi. This bound still closer together in bonds 
of commercial interest the two great States of Illi- 
nois and Iowa, and added much to the business and 
growth of Keokuk. It was completed in 1871, and 
the first train passed over it April 19 of that year. 
Aside from the railroad business, the wagon traffic 
over this bridge is very large. 

Following the above in impoytance was tlie con- 
struction of the United States Canal across the I)es 
Moines Rapids. This canal was opened for navi- 
gation during the season of 1877. The construction 
and operation of this canal has materially aided 
Keokuk, and has been of incalculable benefit to the 
country bordering the Mississippi River. 

WATKR WORKS. 

With the railroads, and such grand enterprises 
completed as the Government Canal and the Mis- 
sissippi Bridge, the people of Keokuk thought thej' 
would be hazarding their reputation for progressive- 
ness unless they went to work and constructed 
water works for the citj-. Under this spirit the 
Water Works Company was organized in April, 
1877, with a capital stock of *1 00,000, and plans 
furnished by W. C. Stripe, an eminent engineer, 
were adopted by the City Council. Great credit is 
due this engineer for his indomitable energy in 
pushing through his plans, as well as to the citizens 
who seconded him. The system known as the Holly 
System was adopted, the efficiency of which is too 
well known to need any comment. The works 
were completed in the summer of 1878, and final 
tests were made in July of tiiat year. The worjcs 
are located on the baiil<s <>f the Mississip[)i, from 
which the water is taken. Tlie filtcrci- is 50x15 



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feet, through which all water for private consump- 
tion passes. 

There are ten miles of mains, which cover the 
business portions of the city and nearly all of the 
resident portion. The hydrants are numerous and 
conveniently located. The pumping machinery is 
among the best manufactured by the Holly Manu- 
facturing Conipany. The engine is of a compound 
type, and is guaranteed to perform a duty equal 
to raising .5(1,000,000 pounds of water one foot, 
with tiie use of 100 pounds of coal. The cost of 
the works was about $100,000. 

FIRE DEl'ARTMEXT. 

A Hook and Ladder Company was organized in 
1856. About this time the Young American Fire 
C'ompanj^ was also organized, and embraced many 
who became in after years quite noted in one 
way or ant>ther. They sent to Baltimore and bought 
one hand-engine which they called Galler^^ and to 
Boston for the other, to which the}' applied tiie 
name Iloueyraan. The first steam engine was 
purciiased in 186G, another was subsequently pur- 
chased whicli belonged to the Rolla Fire Company, 
and tlie engine was christened Rolla. There was 
also another company organized, the Union Fire 
Company No. 3. .Since the construction of the 
water works, Init little use is had for fire engines. 

The Fire Department consists of Chief Engineer, 
Assistant, and twelve ilinutemen. It is a paid de- 
partment. Thej' have three hose houses and three 
teams always ready. This department paj's to the 
Water Works Company $75 per annum for each 
hydrant. 

«—;;;- — K>4><- -X— ?> 

Biiiikiu$>'. 

(^z^^HK banking facilities of Keokuk are excel- 
lent. The}' are conducted by men of expe- 
rience, who hold the confidence of the peo- 
ple. They are enterprising and liberally disposed to 
aid all public enterprises that are worthy. The bank- 
ing capital employed is about $400,000, and the 
average deposits are about |>900,000. Dividends 
ai'e paid regularly. 

IllE KKOKIK SAVINfi.S BAN'K. 

This liank was organized Jan. 2, 1808, with E<1- 




ward Johnstone as the first President, and the first 
Cashier was William Thompson. In January, 1869, 
Johnstone was elected Cashier and h;is held that 
position ever since. In March, 1869, C. F. Davis 
was chc)sen President, and has continually been re- 
elected from that time on. At the time of organi- 
zation the capital stock .subscribed was $100,000, 
paid up capital $50,00(). Jan. 1, 1886, paid up 
capital was $75,000; on .Inly 1 following the paiil 
up capital was $100,000. 

The immediate care and management of this 
bank devolves upon that able and trustworthy 
financier, Judge Johnstone. The Savings Bank is 
one of the old, reliable institutions of the county, . 
and has won the confidence of the people. Its of- 
ficers are always polite and nceommodating. 

KEOKIK NATIONAL HANK. 

This bank was organized June 15, 1872, with a 
capital stock of $100,000. The first President was 
William Patterson, and Kdwin F. Brownell the first 
Cashier. William Patterson held the presidencj- 
until 1882, when he retired on account of ill-health, 
and S. P. Pond, the present incumbent, was elected, 

STATE ISANK OK IOWA. 

In October, 1858, this bank was organized, with 
Samuel Miller, President. In May, 1865, it was 
merged into the State National Bank, of Keokuk, 
with a capital stock of $150,000, and with James 
F. Cox, President. Mr. Cox died in 1877, and A. 
Hosmer was elected President. At the expiration 
of the charter the bank was re-organized as a private 
banking institution. This was in May, 1885. Mr. 
Hosmer is still President. The directors and of- 
ficers of this bank are representative citizens, in 
whose judgment in matters pertaining to finance 
great confidence is placed. Mr. Hosmer is the pre- 
siding genius of the bank. 

(()MMl;U( lAI, IIANK. 

This bank was organized in l!S46 by George C. 
Anderson, as a private bank. In 1872 it was in- 
corporated as the Commercial Bank, with a capital 
stock of $50,000, and II. F. Bower, President, and 
J. H. Ilobbs, Cashier. In 1882 Mr. Jaeger liought 
out the concern, and it is still owned and managed 
bj' him. 



i\ 



BSi 



i;lc 



LEE COUNTY. 




Mainifacturiiis" Interests. 

ANUFAC'TOIilES are the potent factoi's 

that contribute to the development of a city. 

If a town does not have these industries it 

has no solid structure upon which to base 

its prosperity. A town niay have spasmodic 

E booms, to use a modern phrase, occasioned by 

[; speculation in xeal estate, or by favorable currents 

; of trade, but without manufactories to sustain it it 

§ has no reliable basis of growth. The West has paid 

E tribute to the Eastern manufactories since its set- 

E tlement. Each year, however, sees the amount re- 

S duced, with a corresponding increase of the manu- 

a facturing industries in the West. Capitalists of 

S the West, not being familiar with this branch of 

S business, have alw.ays been a little shy of invest- 

= ment in it. Year by year, however, as one manu- 

S factory after another achieves success, this shyness 

is wearing off. Particularly has it been so with 

Keokuk. Since the beginning of the present decade 

her business men have been giving special attention 

to this matter, and the result has been that Keokuk 

is now the leading manufacturing city in Iowa. 

The Keokuk Stove Works were established in 
1855, and the company was re-organized in 1884. 
It was established by J. C. Estes, who was suc- 
j ceeded by B. A. Williams, and then by the Com- 
stock Brothers in 18(i2. In 1875 the company 
incorporated with a capital stock of $75,000. Gil- 
bert Comstock, President, and George II. Com- 
stock, Secretary. This arrangement continued un- 
til 1884, under the name of the Comstock Stove 
Works. At that time it was changed to the Keo- 
i kuk Stove Works. 

It is the oldest works established west of the 
Mississippi. They manufacture all kinds of cook 
stoves — coal and wood — coal and wood heat- 
iP; ing stoves, and parlor stoves. They wake about 
150 varieties of cook stoves, ^and about 140 differ- 
ent styles of heaters. The company employ about 
sixtj' men! and their sales average $125,000. The 
iriC output is about 12,000 stoves yearly. The stoves 
; manufactured by this company give general satis- 
i| J faction and are very pc^pular. William Burkett is 
il i President, and .J. W. Hobbs is .Secretary and Treas- 
i; urer of tiie compan}'. 
i):: Keokuk Central Stove Works. This company: 




was incorporated in May, 1884, with a capital stock 
of *GO,000 ; President, A. J. McCreary ; Secretary 
and Manager, Gilbert Comstock, and A. Hosmer, 
Treasurer. In 18S5 the capital stock was increased 
to |i75,00O. It manufactures cooking, parlor and 
heating stoves for both wood and coal. It makes 
about forty different varieties, and about 150 differ- 
ent sizes. It consumes from 800 to 1,000 tons of 
iron, and turns out about 12,000 stoves, from 190,- 
000 to $100,000 in value annually. Their market 
extends as far as Colorado and south to Texas. 
Their iron is mostly from Ohio, Missouri and Ala- 
bama. The stoves made by this company are first- 
class and have a ready market. 

The Keokuk Canning Co. was incorporated in 
1881, with a capital stock of *10,000, which was 
increased to $25,000 in 1883. The present officers 
are William Ballinger, President; D. P. White, 
Vice President; H. A. Heaslip, Secretary; P. II. 
Crowley, Superintendent. During the season, which 
lasts about three months, it cans about 50,000 
twentj'-four-can cases. While at work it employs 
about 200 persons. In connection with the above 
this company have a pickle factory. It puts up 
vegetables, pickles, catsups, etc., which is an indus- 
try that is growing in Keokuk. 

The Keokuk Pickle Company, which was incorpor- 
ated in 1881, is another similar manufactorj-, which 
is very creditable to the city. Its pickle business is 
quite extensive, and it also puts up pigs-feet, krout, 
and manufactures vinegar. The past season this 
company put up 17,000 barrels of pickles, using 
50,000 bushels of cucumbers. 

The raising of tomatoes and cucumbers for the 
canning factories here has become quite a business. 
It has brought into availability a great deal of land 
in Jackson Townsiiip, that otherwi.se was of little 
value, and given to those that cultivate it a profit- 
able employment. 

S. C. & S. Carter are large dealers in and mauu- 
f.acturers of lumber, doors, blinds, sash, moldings, 
packing-boxes, and all kinds of woodwork that en- 
ters into the construction of a house. This is an 
old and reliable house, and was establisiied in 1 854. 
They employ on an average about thirty men. 

The Bucke3'e Foundry and Machine Shop was es- 
tablished in 184!), liy S. S- Vail, A. Vail and S. Ar- 





-^xx. 




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LEE COUNTY. 



initage. The st^ie of the firm has changed several 
times since that date, ami the business is now car- 
ried on l>y ^MeElro}- it Arniitage. Thoy euiplo\- 
from fifty to sixtj" men, iiKUitifacture semi-i)ortalile 
and stationary engines, .'iml liut<liers' tanking- out- 
fits. They enjoj- a prosiicnjus liusinecss. 

Keokuk Cracker and Candy Company. This is 
an enterprise that is very creditable U> Ivccknk. It 
was established in August, 1H,S3. The machinery 
is of the must apiiruvcd patterns, and the building 
and all the :uT;nigemcnts are admirably adapted for 
the business. It was estalilislied by .lames W. .Sum- 
mers, James Fit/.llenry and M. W. McCoy. 

S. T. Wi irley tt Son's Carriage Factory is another 
important Keokuk industry. Mr. Worley estab- 
lished his factorj' in ISGCi. In 1S84 he took his son, 
W. H., into partnership with him. In 1885 they 
erected their large new brick Imilding. 

The Western Foundry and Machine .Shop, liy An- 
drews, Leottler & Co., was established in 1 872. This 
firm make a specialty of manufacturing the Andrews 
Patent Brick Press and Pulverizer, and also do all 
other kinds of shop and machine work. The An- 
drews Press is an excellent device f(ir making brick, 
and is gaining a wide reputation. With this press 
it is claimed that 18,000 brick can be turned out 
every ten hours, and this has been established by 
actual working tests. The machine was patented 
in 1882. 

The Gate City Carriage Factory was established in 
1856, by Myers & Reeves. The latter retired in 
1861. Thomas Myers was burnt out, but rebuilt in 
186U. 

Keokuk Windmill and Engine Companj'. This 
business was established in 1881. W. H. Aldrich is 
President, and II. M. Laurie, Secretary. The com- 
p.any is incorporated with a capital stock of $25,- 
000. They manufacture the Aldrich AVindmill, and 
pumps and tanks. 

Tabor & Co., gang-saw and shingle mills. This 
is an extensive establishment, and is owned and 
operated bj' men who have done much toward the 
building up of this trade in the city, and are well 
known to the lumber trade. Their mill is thor- 
oughly equipiifd vvitii tlic latest and most Mpiiroved 
machinery. 

The Ilamblctiin .Milling (Omiiaiiy was organized 



IS 

as the successors of B. F. Hambleton ik Co., of the 3:;i 

Imperial Alills. The new organization madearevo- Sr 

lution in the tlonr manufacturing business of Keo- KiiK 

"- 1 
kuk, by taking out the old machinery and putting 3kl 

in the roller system. Their mill now has all the S' i 

s.; 1 
latest imiirovements. It has thirteen rollers, and c i 

the mill is cinwded most of the time night and Sti 

day to meet the demands of their trade. JSl 

Avers <S: Decker manufacture barbed wire and b;1 

Bfl 
eurry combs. They first established their business fci 

at Bushnell, 111., and moved to Keokuk in 1886. S^l 

Cacy & Company's i)ork-packing establishment jr'i 
is one of the largest packing-houses in the State. It Se} 
is conducted by foreign capital, the maiTi house be- b;;} 
ing at Belfast, Ireland. A large portion of their -_ \ 
trade is in Eunjpe. 

Dr. Baker & .Son, manufacturei's of family medi- ~ ^ 
cine. Keokuk need not send abroad for her medi- 
cines, for they are made within her own corporate ;, J 
limits. Dr. Baker has been engaged in this busi- si j 
ness for over a quarter of a century, and has estab- 
lished a reputation for his medicines that extends 
f.ar and near. His medicines have been thoroughly 
introduced tliroughont the States of Iowa. Illinois, 
Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas and Ne- 
braska, and have given general satisfaction. 

Blom's Soap Factory was established many years 
ago, and the product made is well known to the 
trade. Blom's Soaps" sell readily and give general 
.s.atisfaction. 

There are mauj' other manufacturing industries ; { 
which space will not permit to mention in detail. 
According to the best estim.ate the goods manu- 
f.actured at Keokuk last 3'ear amounted to about 
|!4,500,000, which is an excellent showing for a 
town of her size. 

KKOKI K Ol'KU.V HOUSE. 

This liuilding is of recent construction, and is 
the finest in the State. In its design and finish it is 
elegant, and in all its appointments complete. Its 
auditorium is commodious, having a seating ca- s 
pacity of 1,000 persons. The building is con- ; 
structed of brick, and its architecture is verj^ pleas- : 
ing. Tiie auditorium is entered from the ground 3 
tloor, affording easy escape in case of fire. Take it : 
altogether it is a monument to the gr.and t;rste and : 
I enterprise of the peoi)le of Keokuk. tM 



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HAND I'ARK. 



The initiatory steps for the construction of this 
park were taken in 1883, by the purchase of tliirty- 
three acres of ground in the northwestern part of the 
city. Work was commenced in the spring- of 1884, 
and has been continued e' er since, under apropria- 
tions annually made by the city. The last apiiro- 
priation (1880) was $.55,000. The Park Commis- 
sioners are (ieorge ]). Rand. James McNauiara and 
Henry Tiete. 

A fine artesian well was completed here in 1885. 
It has a depth of 741 feet, which was secured at a 
cost of 11,880. The flow is 250 gallons per min- 
ute. The water, w'hich comes out with great foi'ce, 
is strongly- mineral. Around the well is to be con- 
structed a beautiful fountain. After the water has 
been through the park, forming lakes and creeks 
and cascades, it is carried into the main sewei'S of 
the city, and linall}' empties into the Mississippi 
below the town, having a most salutary effect in a 
sanitary point of view. C^uite a collection of ani- 
mals and birds has already been placed in the 
park. It was named in h(mor of George D. Rand, 
a prominent citizen of the cit}'. The location is a 
beautiful one and very picturesque, being also one 
of the highest points in the city. It borders the 
Great Mississippi, and the view of the river from 
the high bluft's is a grand one. It was laid out with 
exceedingly good taste, and every point of at- 
traction has been brought out to the best advan- 
tage. The flower plats are already large and con- 
tain a great variety of plants. There are also nu- 
merous shrubs and trees, carriage-ways ami walks, 
and pretty little lakes. 

Rand Park is indeed a great credit to the enter- 
prise and intelligence of the citizens of Keokuk, and 
is unequaled by any cit^' in the State, though 3'et 
far fnmi being finished. It is here that a monument 
to the chief Keokuk is being erected. There are 
three other small parks in the city — Kilbourn, Tri- 
angular and Bluff. 

KKOKT'K LIUKAnV ASSOC lATIOX. 

The first meeting to take' into consideration the 
matter of establishing a public library and reading 
room for the city was held Nov. 20, 180;). There 
were several meetings foUowinu; this and it was de- 



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iM)o, 10 oe useci lor the ^-f^ 
ing, the association have H jH 
The building was cuu]- If^^ 



cided to make a stock association, witli the stock 
at 810 a share, and that as so<m .IS $500 had been 
subscribed to organize. In December, 180.i, the 
following named officers were elected: A. ,J. AVil- 
kinson. President; George W. McCrary, Vice Presl-^ 
dent; George C. Thompson, .Secretniy, and Howard }| 
Tucker, Treasurer. 

There was but little done the first year, Init the 
second some progress was made. The lil)rarj' was 
first opened for the delivery of books in June, 1801. 
The total value of the library at this time, including 
books, pictures and fixtures, was >;o,0()(i. 

Through the liberality of J. L. Rice, deceased, 
who left a legacy of §1 0,000, to be used for the 
erection of a library buildin; 
now very fine quai-teis. 

pleted in 1883, at a cost of $10,000, the ground 
having been purchased for §7,000. The building- 
is constructed of brick, and is attractive in its 
architecture. The association has about 7,000 vol- 
umes now, with a good museum collection. This 
is an institution very creditable to the people, and 
one from which they derive great benefit. 

liKi.Kiiors. 

From the erection of St. .lohn's Catholic Church 
edifice on Blondean street in 1838, and the hold- 
ing of services therein, up to the present time, relig- 
ious societies have increased in numbers and their 
buildings have improved in excellence of construc- 
tion and architecture, and to-day there is no city 
in the State that can equal Keokuk in her church 
edifices. From the cabins, in which services were 
once held by the different denominations, elegant 
edifices have arisen, their graceful spires tapering 
toward Heaven, in all parts of the city. Where at 
first there were only a few humble worshipers, they 
ma^' be now counted by the thousands. 'J"he faith- 
ful entered upon their work with a faith and zeal 
that knows no fatigue, nor recognizes defeat, and 
with Christ as their guide, labored in increasing 
their numbers ;iud solidifying their organizations. 

Ke(jkuk has n<nv twenty -six religious organiza- 
tions, all having buildings, and most of them in a 
prosperous condition. Some of them have grand 
edifices, such as would do credit to a metropolis, 
and especially llie two that luive been built within 






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the last two years, the St. Peter's Catholic, and the 
St. John's Episcopal. 

KDICATIOXAI.. 

The citizens of Keokuk from the earliest settle- 
ment have evinced a desire for education, and from 
the humble followers of St. Crispin, Jesse Creigh- 
ton, who left his trade to take upon himself the re- 
sponsibility of instructing the youth of this i)lace, 
they have been enlarging their educational facilit- 
ies and improving tlieir methods of instruction. A 
very good criterion b}' which to judge of a city is 
its schools. Nothing better indicates the genuine 
progress of a town. 

Tiie jiublic sciiools of Keokuk have been the 
model for many of the towns of Iowa to pattern ; 
aftei'. The general man.<igement of these schools 
is in charge of an educational board whose culture 
and refinement, as also their business e.xperience, 
have peculiarly fitted them for this important duty. 
The system embraces eight primary- or grammar 
schools, with seven grades, uniform in each, all 
culminating in the High Schools, the entire course 
ic(piiiing eleven years in its completion. The 
grades, however, are so arranged as t<i be complete 
each in itself, wiiicli uniformh' enables tlie pupils 
to pursue the studies of their grade in either of the 
schools of the city. The curriculum embraces all of 
the higher branches, and in the arts and sciences is 
ei]nal to any public schools of the State. The pri- 
vate schools in the city are: St. \'incent's, con- I 
ducted by the Sisters of Charity; St. Mary's and 
St. Peter's, Catholic ; Peirce's Commercial College, 
;ind the College of Physicians and Surgeons. 

The St. Mncent Acadeni}- was establisiied in 
1H()7, since which time the Sisters have made great 
improvements in the school. They have now a 
fine building, commodious and neatly furnished. 
The Academy is under the charge of the Sisters of 
Charity, who c:ime from Emmitsburg. .Mil. A 
pretty little chapel is one of the attractive features 
of the Acadeny. 

Tiie College of Physicians and Surgeons was first 
located at La Porte, liid., sometime in the forties. 
It was transfi'rred from La Porte to .Madison in 
l^!4.s, ;uid incorporated as the Madison Medical 
College, witii a br.inch at Rock Island. One session 
was held at Uock Island, and one at Mailison and 



Davenport, when, in 1850, it was removed to Keo- 
kuk. Here a faculty was organized, and the insti- 
tutioii wa.s styled the College <jf Physicians and 
■Surgeons of the Medical Department of the Iowa 
State University. In 1852 J. C. Ilugiies be- 
came Dean, and continued in this position until lie 
died, Aug. 10, 1881. He was succeeded by liis 
son, J. C. Hughes, Jr., who is the [iresent Dean. 
John H. Craig succeeded E. J. (iilbert as Presi- 
dent, and holds that position at present. The ])rcs* 
ent officers of the faculty are: Ccorge F. Jenkins, 
President; George C. Morgridge, Vice President; 
J. C. Hughes, Secretary and Treasurer, and J. A. 
Scroggs, Secret:iry. 

This institution is one of the most eminent in 
the West, or country, and embraces in its Alumni 
representatives from every State in the Union, num- 
bering since the college came here 2,500. Their 
success and intlueiiceiii the profession are creditable 
alike to themselves and their Alma Mater. The 
college building is a fine substantial structure, and 
occupies a central position in the city. The college 
museum presents the largest and most extensive 
collection in the State, furnishing each department 
with rare and valuable collections for illustration. 
The business outlook of the city is very encourag- 
ing, and its remarkable increase within the last few 
years is certainly very flattering. In all the 
branches of industry and trade, there seems to be a 
health}' increase. From recent statistics it is shown 
that the four banking institutions do a business of 
over |iG(J, (100,000; in regular emplo3'ment there 
are upward of 3,000 men, with capital invested of 
over $4,000,000, the product of which is*15,000,. 
000; the result of the combination of labor and 
capital. 

The city is well laid out, her streets are wide, and 
about the business portion there is a very fair pave- 
ment. Tlirough the resilient portions there is a 
gooil road l)ed. In this part the streets are orna- 
mented with a tine growth of trees, through which 
may be seen many line i-esidences. The heavy 
undulating surface of the land on which the city 
was located afforded many rare sites for dwelling lots 
wiiich the citizens did not fail to embrace. Th(jse 
;ire considcreil the most dcsirMlilo whi<'li coniinand 
a view of tiic Mississippi. 



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Keokuk is situated upon the west bank of the 
Mississippi River, at its fonrtueiicc with the Des 
! Moiues, in the sdutheast curner of the State, nnd is 
very appropiiately callefl the"(iate City." Its 
population at the present time may he justly esti- 
mated at 10,000, and being in the center of ;i great 
and exceedingly productive country, abounding in 
coal, timber and the best kinds of Iniilding stone, it is 
destined to move on in its growth, developing its 
resources, and increasing its population year by 
year. The beauty of its location can hardlj' be 



surpassed. Resting grandly upon an elevated 
plateau overhjoking the waters of the great Missis- 
sippi as they majestically flow onward to the'Gulf, 
the graceful sweo}) of the Ues Moines, as it mingles 
its waters with the other; all [around far reaching 
valleys and hills, with fertile fields and pastoral 
scenes, the pretty quiet cottage,'the spire; pointing 
heavenward, Keokuk can, without fear, challenge 
theeountr}' to reproduce a site )nore couimanding, 
more picturesque, more beautiful. 




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k 



OME of the most beautiful of 
the smaller cities of the coun- 
try rest on the banks of the 
great Father of Waters. This 
1 city, the county seat of Lee 
County, is located on the west 
bank of the Mississippi, in 
Madison Township. At this 
oint the great river flows nearly 
it, hence the city looking toward 
river faces the south. In 1805, 
United States Government sent 
■oops here under command of 
'apt. Z. M. Pike, to erect a fort, 
and to have a military station here, 
to protect the eountrj' as much 
from the British Government as from the Indians. 
The troops occupying this post and their attaches 
may be called the first settlers in this section of the 
country. The name is supposed to have Ijeen 



given to the fort in honor of James Madison, then 
a rising statesman. A trading-post was establislied 
here about the time the fort was erected. To this 
was given the name of Le Moine Factory, which 
was stocked with goods, mostly such as would 
take the fancy or appetite of the Indians, for which 
skins, furs, etc., were received in exchange. 

The erection of Ft. Madison angered Black 
Hawk and his followers, who considered it a direct 
violation of the treaty of 1804, and they accord- 
ingly undertook t<j destroy it, but failed. Subse- 
quently they undertook to accomplish bj- treaehei-y 
what they had failed to do by force. Around the 
fort was coustructed a stockade. A party of Indians 
would come to the fort and a few of their number 
would ask and receive permission to go inside of the 
stockade, leaving their arms behind them, and 
amuse the soldiers by engaging in their dances. 
They pretended to have great friendship for the 
otHcers and soldiers, and soon gained their conti- 




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I.EK COUNTY. 



fleneo. Aniungtliese Indians was Qiiah-a-(iii;i-iii:i. 
a (•imiiing old eliiof. These amusements continued 
for sonu' time, when one bright da.y severaliiundred 
Indians (•anie to the fort, inanifestinu great frieiul- 
shij) as usual for the sokliers. Tlie ohl chief told 
them that he wanted to amuse them that night with 
a grand Indian dance lief ore the principal gate. As 
soon as it was dark a large number of them, decor- 
ated in their costumes, appeared before the gate 
and commenced their dancing. • 

While the^- were going on with their amusement 
a young s(|uaw came to the fort and asked to see 
one of the ollicers to whom she was much attached. 
(She appeared very much cast down, and when asked 
the cause of her sorrow, she told tlie oflicer that her 
people had hostile intentions against the fort, and 
this cntcrtainnienl they were giving the soldiers 
was only a ruse to divert their attention while they 
attacked and destroyed the garrison. Uponreceiv. 
ing this information the commander had a six-pound 
cannon loaded with grape shot and stationed so as 
to bear on the entrance to the stoc'kade. He then 
l)laccd a sentinel at the gate with oidcrs nt)t to let 
in luit one Indian at a time, and if more attempted, 
to bar the g.-ite. Cjuah-a-qua-ma and a number of 
his followers were admitted in this order, while the 
dancing was kept up with fervor outside. At length 
all the dancers, during one of their rounds, m.'ide a 
sudden rush for the gate. At this moment the 
commander, who had been watching their move- 
ments closely, uncovered the cannon which, with its 
open mouth, was presented to the full view of the 
conspiring savages, with a soldier standing by, torch 
in hand, read3' to touch it off. The commander then 
madi' known to the chief his danger, and charged 
him with treachery. The Indians beat a hasty re- 
treat, and the old chief made his escape. Some of 
the Indians were captured, however, ;uid on their 
persons w'ere found concealed weapons. Those 
captives confessed to the plot, and expected noth- 
ing but death, )nit the commander, after a short im- 
prisonment, liberated them with a warning that if 
they attempted such a thing again tiiey wonlil re- 
ceive the severest penalty. 

No further attempts were made against the fort 
until the war willi(;reat Britain b)-okc out. During 
that wai- the I'oit was again attacked b\ the Indians 




and a regular siege was laid. The sutler's store- 
house was outside the stockade behind one of the 
block-houses. A few of the Indians got behind this 
block-house and fired into the jiort holes of the 
block-house near it, wounding some of the soldiere. 
It was discovered that the plan of the Indians was, 
th.at when the wind was favonible to set fire to the 
j storehouse and thus burn the fort, and the soldiers 
determined to thwart their fiendish purposes. At 
night, at a favorable oitportnnitv- when the wind 
was in the right direction, a soldier was sent out 
and he applied the torch to the storehouse, which 
was soon lai 1 in ashes. The Indians next tried to 
set the block-houses on fire by throwing ignited 
arrows, but the fire was put out on the roofs by the 
.soldiers with improvised squirt-guns made from 
their muskets, and they soon abandoned their efforts 
and withdrew to a place of safety and held a coun- 
cil. The result of the council was a demand for 
the surrender of the fort, which was refused. Then 
the chief, who could speak French, asked for a 
pai'ley. He was asked b3- a j'oung man who was 
there, and who could speak French, what proposi- 
tions he had t(j make. The chief, from behind the 
bank of the river which concealed him, began to 
talk. The 3'oung man called out to him that he 
could not hear, whereupon, in order to make him- 
self heard, the chief raised himself a little above 
the bank, when the young man fired at him and he 
fell mortally wounded. I Laving lost their chief, 
the Indians abandoned their efforts to destroy the 
garrison and left. 

About a year later, or in 1812, the Indians made 
another attack on the fort, and failing to capture it 
by force, they tried to reduce it b^' a regidar siege, 
which reduced the little garrison to the greatest ex- 
tremity, leaving them nothing but potatoes to live 
on, and even these were fast being exhausted. 
There was no certainty of receiving any supplies, 
and after much deliberation it was decided to 
abandon the fort. A trench was dug from one of 
the block-houses to the river. There were some 
boats belonging to the garrison, which were secretly 
prepared and made ready for use. When every- 
thing was ready the fort was set on fire, and under 
cover of the fire they made their escape, and the 
garrison was nearly burned to the ground before 




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the lurtiaus, vvhu were encamped there in a largo 
body, were aware of their departure. 

The troops made a landing on the opposite side 
of the Mississippi, the present site of AVarsaw, much 
exhausted with fatigue and hunger. About this 
time a boat was seen coming up the river, laden 
with supplies. This revived their spirits, and after 
having a, good substantial meal and a little rest, 
they resolved to retreat no further, and at once 
commenced the erection of another fort, which was 
called Ft. Edwards. 

The first settler that caine in hei'e after the fort 
was burned and abandoned was Peter Williams, 
who made a claim and set up a cabin, in 1832. 
This was before the countrj^ was opened to settle- 
ment under the treaty made with the Indians, and 
Peter was summarily dealt with for his audacity. 
The troops came up from Rock Island (then Ft. 
Armstrong), pitched his cabin into the river and 
carried him off a prisoner, and Ft. Madison was 
again left without an inhabitant. Peter, however, 
had the metal of a pioneer in him, for no sooner 
had the Indians' title to the land expired (June, 
1833), when he returned, took possession of his old 
claim, and erected another cabin. His second house 
was located near the river, between what is now 
Walnut and Chestnut streets. 

Williams hardly had his cabin warmed up before 
he was joined by Richard Chaney, who came up 
from Chaney Creek, 111., where he had lived for a 
while. His claim covered the old cornfield which 
had been cultivated by the soldiers of the fort, and 
was near the penitentiary site. He cleared off this 
ground, and in 1834 raised a crop of corn. Au- 
gustus Horton came also in 1 833, and entered a claim 
on what is now the upper part of the city. Later 
on in the season, John II. and Nathaniel Knapp 
came in, the former purchasing Ilorton's claim, and 
the latter made a claim and put up a cabin just 
above the foot of Elm street. John built his cabin 
on the site of the old fort. 

John II. Knapp, after he finished his cabin, or 
dwelling, built a frame house on the bank of the 
river near by, into which he put some goods, and 
commenced trading with the Indians, receiving also 
the patronage of the few white people that were 
here. This, after the trading-post of the fort, was 




the first store opened in Ft. Madison. .John was 
an enterprising man, and was one of those useful __ 
fellows that it is good to have about in a new settle- ^^^'''' 
ment. The following year he cleared some six acres 
of ground, about where Morrison's plow works are 
now situated, and planted it in corn and vegetables, 
and also erected a mill for grinding corn and buck- 
wheat. It was run by horse-power, and was the 
first mill erected in this section of the country. In 
October, 1835, his family arrived, which consisted 
of his wife and three children, and they began 
housekeeping, which was the first establishment of 
the kind in Ft. Madison presided over by a white 
woman. With Knapp's family came his son-in-law, 
Joseph S. Douglass, his wife and two children. That 
fall the Knapps laid off the town. Except around 
the old fort and some other clearings the town site 
was pretty heavily timbered. 

In 183G there were several additions made to the 
new settlement, and the Knapps had a lively bus- 
iness in real estate operations. During that year 
two very respectable frame houses were erected by 
John H. and Nathaniel Knapp. They were put up 
for hotels, and were called the Madison, and the 
Washington House. 

Both of the Knapps were stirring business men, 
.and under their infiuence the town was growing 
quite rapidly. This was cheeked, however, in a 
short time by their death. John H. died from 
natural causes, but his brother was murdered at 
Bentonsport. Among others who had come in was 
Jacob Cutler, who opened a store in the first fi-ame 
house built. This house had been built by John 



Knapp. 

The village w.as incorporated in 1 838. An elec- 
tion was held the first Monday in May of the year, 
when Philip A'iele was chosen President, Robert 
AVyman, Recorder, and Herbert Morris, Joseph 
Skinner, Charles McDill, John A. Drake and Isaac 
Atlee, Trustees. In 1 842, the Legislature granted 
the town a citj' charter, and an election was held 
April 4, 1842, when Isaac R. Atlee was chosen 
Mayor. The city grew rapidly and soon became 
quite an important river town. 

The first regular Postmaster of the town was 
James Douglass, who was appointed in 1836. Edwin 
Guthrie was the first man here clotlied with judicial 



h:H 



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LfiE COUNTY. 








honor. This he received from the Governor of 
the Territory of Michigan in 1835. Stiuire Guthrie 
was quite a character, a man of integrity, and a 
sticliler for justice, wliicli he meted out Lo the poor 
as well as the rich. 

The first lawyer to settle in Kt. Madison was a 
young- man from Kentucky, by the name of Alfred 
Rich, in 1837. There was not much practice about 
here then for any one, much less for a stranger, and 
he opened a school with some dozen pupils. ' He 
soon after tooli charge of a land case in which he 
greatly distinguished himself. Subsequent!}- he was 
elected to the Legislature and became a prominent 
man in the State. 

The first marriage celebrated here was between 
Enoch Gilbert and Augusta Knapp, in the winter 
of 1835-30. The first birth was the son of Joseph 
S. and Almeda Douglass. 

Among the early settlers there were many who 
held the faith of the Presbyterian Church, and in 
Mai'ch, 1838, a congregation of this denomination 
was organized with seventeen members, and with 
Rev. J. A. Clark, as pastor. Patriotism here was 
as strong a factor as religion, and a Fourth of July 
celebration followed the Church organization. At 
this celebration. Black Hawk was present, and was 
greatly lionized. He met with the white people 
around the festive board and seemed to enjoy it. 
A toast was given in his honor, to which he re- 
sponded with the eloquence of an Indian orator. 

The first steam flourmill erected at Ft. Madison 
was in February, 184."), by W. Hauxhurst, which, 
was quite an improvement on Mr. Knapp's process, 
though in all probabilitj' the latter's mill at that 
time received the greater welcome. This mill 
ground out fiour for the people for some fourteen 
years, and then it was converted into a distillery to 
grind out whisky. Jt was burned down in 18G2. 

The Iowa Penitentiary was located at Ft. Madi- 
son long before Iowa w.as admitted as a St.ate. It 
was built by tlie (ieneral Ctoveinment in 1841, and 
I tin'ough its contract system and manufacturing, is 
one of the city's most prominent institutions. The 
labor is let to three Ft. Madison firms : The Iowa 
Farming Tool Company, the Ft. Madison Chair 
Company, and Iluiskamp Bros., manufacturers of 
boots and shoes. In addition to the convict labor. 



these contractors have outside overflow shops 
where employment is given to about 20() nicu. 
>[AMi Arri Kixii iNTi:i;i:sis. 

The manufacturing interests lead all otiiers of 
Ft. Madison, and are unequaled by any town of its 
size in the State. It is these industries that iiave 
built u)) the city and kept her prosperous; and no 
city or place in Iowa is better adapted for manu- 
factories tliau this. 

Tlie Morrison Manufacturing Compau}- started 
its business in a small way in 1865. It did not 
have much capital, but had energy and persever- 
ance, and a determination to succeed. Tliis was the 
next best thing to capital, and witliout tliis would 
not be of much advantage. The first article it 
made was tlie plow, and in order to sell it witli all 
the competition in this line, the Morrisons knew 
they liad to make a good one. Later on the}- pro- 
duced their cultivator, now known throughout the 
West as the Morrison Clevis Spring Cultivator. 
This is one of the most popular of all the culti- 
vators made and has an extensive sale. They then 
brought out the gang plow and the road scraper. 
All the implements made by this firm have a fine 
reputation, but none of them are so extensively 
known and used as the Morrison plow. 

The Iowa Farming Tool Company is one of the 
important industries of Ft. Madison. The articles 
maiuifactured by this companj' are too numerous to 
mention in detail. The principal product is agri- 
cultural tools. Their goods are of a superior 
((uality and workmanship, and made in more than 
.500 i).atterns, and in sizes adapted to every climate 
and Tnarket. Many of the articles are inventions of 
their own, for which it has an exclusive sale. 

The company employ some 200 hands. Its prod- 
uct in steel goods is some G0,000 dozen, and in 
wood 20,000; and they consume annually 20,000 
tons of coal and 400 tons of iron and steel, with 
500,000 of handles. This com])any's goods go 
into many of the St.ites of the Union, and are 
shipped to Great Britain, France, Germany, Swit- 
zerland, and the South American States. William 
Kretsinger is President of the company. 

The S. ife J. C. Atlee Lumber Company is one of 
the oldest and most extensive lumber manufactur- 
ins establishments in the State. The mills and 



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LEE COUNTY. 



yards are located in the lower part of the city on 
the banks of the Mississippi., and occupy about 
forty acres of ground. Each department of manu- 
facture is separated from the others; the sawmills, 
plauing-raills, shingle-mills, are all under different 
roofs, and having their own machinery, including 
boilers and engines. All their machinery is of the 
most improved patterns and the best that can be 
secured. They employ in the different departments 
some 400 men. The daily capacity of their mills 
is about as follows: lumber, 125,000 feet; shingles, 
140,000; lath, 30,000. They have recently doubled 
the capacit}' of their planing-mills, and this depart- 
ment has a capacity now of over 100,000 feet of 
dressed lumber. This firm owns over 20,000 acres 
of timber lands, cut their own logs, and do their 
own rafting with their own steamboats. 

The Ft. Madison Chair Company was organized 
in 187G. This extensive manufacturing company 
is one which greatly redounds to the credit of the 
city, and is one which adds largely to its business. 
By the best of management and a thorough system 
of business it has achieved success, and the com- 
pany now is on a solid financial foundation. It 
gives employment to about 250 hands. It requires 
about 35,000 feet of flooring to earr_y on their 
work, aside from their warerooms. It consumes 
annually about 2,000,000 feet of lumber, and its 
production is al)Out 300,000 chairs during the year. 
The machinery is the best made ; the goods made 
are first class and equal to any made in the coun- 
try. The trade of this companj* extends into all 
the States and Territories west of the Mississippi 
and to the Pacific coast. Joseph A. Smith is Presi- 
dent, J. M. Johnson, Vice-President, W. E. Harri- 
son, Superintendent, and J. H. Kinsley, Secretary. 

Another important industry of the city is the 
Hawkeye Soap Factor3'. The " Anti-Monoixily " is 
the, leading brand of soap made by this company. 
This soap is very popular and has an extensive 
sale. It is a vegetable soap, and the ingredients 
used in its manufacture are pure. The company 
also manufacture a full assortment of toilet and 
laundry soaps. 

Huiskamp Bros.' Boot & Shoe Factory is one of 
the industries that Ft. Madison may well be proud 
of. H. J. Huiskamp, who is a man of good busi- 




ness qualifications, has the management of the con 
cern. They employ about 175 hands, many of 
them skillful mechanics, and they have gained an 
excellent reputation for their products throughout '■ 
the West. • Their shops are filled with the latest 
and most approved nnichinery, and this, with 
skilled workmen, can have but one result — good } I 
work. The annual sales of this company are over" 
*800,000. 

Potowonok Roller Mills were established in 18G8, 
and have been improved and remodeled from time 
to time as progress was made in this department 
of mechanics. They now have a complete roller 
system, and put upon the market as good a quality 
of flour as is made in the State. The Potowonok 
Mills have a daily capacity of 300 barrels of flour, 
and a storage capacity of 50,000 bushels of wheat. 

The Ft. Madison Paper Company is a late addi- 
tion to the industries of the city. It was incorpor- 
ated in 1882, with a capital stock of $50,000, and 
with some of the best men in the citj' as incorpor- 
ators. The officers, which have been retained since 
the organization of the company, are : J. B. Mor- 
rison, President; D. A. Morrison, Secretary, and 
Charles Brewster, Treasurer. The product of the 
mill is straw wrapping-paper of a superior quality. 
This companj' gives constant employment to about 
forty hands, and consumes daily eight tons of 
straw. 

There are several other manufacturing industries, 
but here we have aimed to give the principal ones. 
These will at least show that the people of Ft. 
Madison are to the front in this department of in- 
dustry. The aggregate product of her manufact- 
ories will amount to upward of $4,500,000. 

WIIOLKSAI.K INTEKKSTS. 

Tlie wholesale trade for a town of its size is ex- 
ceedingly large. Tiiere are several first-class houses ^ 
dealing in lumber, dry-goods, groceries, hardware, 
drugs, etc. The aggregate sales in this department 
of business foot up to over $5,000,000, whicii will 
be admitted is a very creditable showing. 




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There are two good banks in Ft. Madison, which 
are conducted by old and experienced business 
men, who enjoy the confidence of the people. The 



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bank of Ft. Madison was first started by Knapp & 
Eaton about thirty years ago, as a private bank. 
Wlieu tlie National Banking Law was instituted, it 
was organized into a National Bank. It relin- 
quislied its cliarter as a National Bank in 1S7'2, and 
was organized as a State Bank under the State 
Banking Laws, with a capital stock of ii<50,000, all 
paid up, and with the privilege of increasing its 
capital stock to $200,000. In 1876 Charles Brew- 
ster and Joseph A. Smith bought out Henry Catter- 
mole, who had' purchased from the founders, and 
have since continued the business. Charles Brew- 
ster is President, Joseph A. Smith, Vice-President, 
and J. W. Albright, Jr., Cashier. 

The German-American Bank was established in 
1876 under the State Banking Laws, by Ilejiry 
Cattermole. It does a general banking business. 
Mr. Cattermole has had a long experience in this 
business and has the confidence of all who have 
had dealings vvith him. He is President of the 
bank, and is ably assisted b}' II. D. McConn, who 
is Cashier. 

i.iinrr. 
Ft. Madison is well lighted with gas, which is 
made on what is called the water-gas process. The 
buildings are all of brick, and substantial. The 
capacity of the works is 100,000 feet per d&y, with 
arrangements for doubling this if necessary. 

WATKIt WOUKS. 

Tlic Ft. Madison Water Company was organ- 
ized in 188,5. The works were completed in 
the fall of this year. They are constructed in what 
is known as the reservoir plan. The reservoir is 
on the bluff (jverlooking the town, with an eleva- 
tion of 171 feet above the floor of the engine- 
house. It has an immense cap.acity. and when 
full is capable of maintaining four fire streams 
through a one-inch nozzle at a height of 100 feet for 
thirty-six hours. The water is taken from the 
Mississippi, above all sewer.age, and far enough out 

ifl into the channel to insure j)ure and wholesome wa- 
ter, which after settling in the reservoir is nearly 

„ equal to cistern water, K, U. Smith is President 
of the com pan}'. 

I-IKK I>l;rAl!TMENT. 

The Fire Department since the establisluiicnl of 



the water works is very complete and effective. 
Each ward h.as a hose company handsomely uni- 
formed, and there is also an efficient hook-aud-lad- 
der company, and a Silsby engine, which now there 
is very little use for. The fire service depends al- 
together on the fire hydrants, of which there are 
sixty-four, which are ready at all times with a pres- 
sure available at a moment's notice. This gives Ft. 
Madison a fire protection eipial, in proportion to its 
size, to any city. 

PIBLK' l.llUiAKV. 

This society was organized some three years 
ago, and though in its infancy it makes a very 
good present-ttion. Tlie library now contains sev- 
eral hundred choice and well-selected books and a 
very good reading-room. It is out of debt and 
self-supporting. Mrs. J. A. Smith is President, 
and Mrs. E. Malcolm, Librarian. 

KOlCATIOXAr.. 

There is a wide difference between the schools of 
Ft. Madison of to-daj' and the one taught b3' the 
j'oung lawyer, Alfred Rich, no disparagement, how- 
ever, to that ambitious and talented man. But 
the city now has a well organized graded S3'Stem 
of instruction, with thoroughly trained teachers. 
The schools are divided into eight grades, .and a 
three-years' High School course. While the schools 
have been good, the school buildings have been 
rather inferior until within the past year, when an 
elegant brick building has been completed at a 
cost of Si 5,000, with all modern conveniences, for 
the High School. There are also two good Catho- 
lic schools conducted by the Sisters, one in English 
and one in German. 

UKLKUOIS. 

The people of Ft. Madison have taken an ad- 
vanced position in religious matters. The early 
settlers here were an exceptionally religious people. 
This not only attracted others of like character, but 
molded and gave a general religious tone to the 
population .as it constantly increased. So to-day 
the city is distinguished for the strength and pros- 
perity of its religious societies, as much as for the 
attractive and substantial character of its church 
edifices. 

The Presbyterian Cluiixh was the first church 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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orgainzed in the county, excejit the Presbyterian 
Church at West Point. It was oi'ganized in the 
spring uf ls;iS, with a goodly number of members. 
fSubsequentlj' the societj' divided into the New and 
the Old School organizations. In 1858 they again 
luiited and have so continued ever since. They 
erected a large, fine edifice, which they still occupy, 
and are under a prosperous administration. 

The Methodist Cliurcli was organized in 1841, 
at which time it was a charge. The following year 
a house of worship was erected, and in 1843 the 
society was set off .as a station. In 181)0 the build- 
ing was remodeled to meet the wants of the increas- 
ing membership. 

8t. Mary's Catholic Church, of which Father 
Meis is priest, was organized here in 1840 by 
J. G. Alleraan, who at that time was the only 
priest within 100 miles. He left .an excellent repu- 
tation; he was generous, kind-hearted, willing at all 
times to give his last copper to the needy. He 
erected a brick house for worship, sixteen feet 
square, which was about the first brick building 
put ui). A few years later a larger building was 
erected, as the church was increasing very rapidly 
in numbers. 

The new church edifice is a grand structure and 
took several years to complete it, which was done 
at a cost of upward of $100,000. It has three large 
bells, each cc^sting over ^3,000, and an organ costing 
$4,000. In the summer of 1876 a hurricane passed 
over the town and so injured the building that it 
required over |i30,000 to repair it. A view of this 
splendid edifice is presented in this work, .-lecom- 
panied by the residence and school. 

St. Joseph's Catholic Cluirch, over which Father 
Louis De Cailly (see biography) presides, is one of 
the leading religious organizations in the count3'. 
An interior view of this splendid structure is shown 
iu this work. 

The Christian Church was organized in 1838 by 



a few members, presided over by Elder John Drake. 
A eluMcli edifice was erected in 1853, at a cost of 
about *;!,500. Services have continued pretty 
regularly since, and the congregation has nniintained 
its organization. 

The Ei)iscopal Church was organized in 1854, 
with Rev. William Adderly as rector. The pres- 
ent church edifice was erected in 1857. 

The B.iptist Church was organized in 1H58, at 
the residence of Charles Brewster; meetings were 
held in private families for some ttme. In 18G1 
a church edifice was completed at a cost of $il3,00<i. 

The C(jlored Baptist Church was organized in 
1873 under the direction of Rev. E. C. Catey. 
Subsequently a neat little house of worship was 
erected. 

The German Lutheran and Reformed Church 
w.as organized in 1851); two years later a small 
building was erected. In 1864 they completed 
their new edifice at a cost of $7,000. This church 
has a good membership and is jirosperons. It 
man tains a denominational school. 

The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church was 
organized iu 1872 by Rev. J. G. Oehlert, with eight- 
een members. They at first rented a building to 
hold their services in, and secured the Presbyterian 
Church for a while. In 1873 they completed their 
house of worship, which is a neat, plain building, 
at a cost of about $1,500. 

We have thus briefly sketched the leading inci- 
dents connected with the territory now embraced 
by the city of F't. Madison, from its earliest oecu- 
p.ation by the white men to the present time. We 
find now a successful and prosperous comminiity of 
over 6,000 souls, possessed of happy firesides aii<l 
surrounded with the culture and refinements of an 
advanced civilization, calmly reposing amid its tri- 
umphs above the great Father of Waters, which, 
still as ever, bends her course toward the sea. 



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adoption of township gov- 
eniinents is an admirable sys- 
tem. B_v it each township 
is formed into a little munici- 
pality, with its governments, 
societies and local institutions, 
which serve to cement friend- 
ships, bring the people into 
closer bonds of union, and edu- 
cate them in the principles of self- 
government. JMany of our best 
and most liberal-minded statesmen 
received their earliest training for 
the great work of their life in these miniature gov- 
ernments. A brief history of each township will 
be given in alphabetical order, with sketches of 
their villages, whicli will be an im|)ortant feature 
of this work. 

CEI>AK TOWNSHIP. 

iHlS township is located in liu- northwest 
quarter of the county, on liie line of the 
Keokuk it Northwestern Railroad. It is 
watered liy Cedar Creek, wliicli meanders through 
the northwest corner, and a brancli of SugarCreek, 




wuicn heads in liicsoutiicrn pcirlion, and rnnsxjut 
The northwest corner is pretty well timbered and 

ightly broken; the balance of the township is roll- 
ing prairie, with occasional spots of timber. The 
land is rich and well cultivated, and tliere are 
many very excellent farms here, provided with 
splendid farm buildings. The Ft. Madison Narrow 
Gauge also runs into this township, entering on 
section 24, and going out on section 4. The Keo- 
kuk cfe Northwestern Road runs along the eastern 
line of the township, entering on section 36, and 
passing out on section 1. 

Cedar Township was laitl oft and sectionized in 
1837, and the lands were placed in market in 1838- 
39. The first families to settle here were Paul 
Bratten, the Anderson and Warren families, and 
Isaac Mc Daniel. The first school held here was in 
a log cabin in 1837, and was taught by Mr. Hall. 
'I'he first church society organized here was the 
Baptists, in 1843. A church building was erected 
that year, and was located <m section (J. Rev. Mr. 
Sperry was the pastor. I'erry McD.aniel was the 
first child Ijorn in the township. 

There are several little hamlets in tlie township, 
where the |)eople get their mails and do some of 
their trading. Cottonwood is located on the Nar- 
row Gauge Road on section 1(1. Tiiere is a post- 
odice here, a school, and some trading carried on. 

Mt. Ilamill is located on section 2.5, on the Keo- 










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kiik & Northwestern Road. It lias a ])ost-oH1ec, 
two stores, a graded school, and a population of 
about fifty souls. 

Big Mpund is on section 3(l. and has one store 
and a post-oflice. 

The township is provided with three church so- 
cieties — the United Presbyterian, on section -25 ; the 
(Quakers, on section 11, and the Christians, on sec- 
tion 31). They are all in a fairly jnosperous condi- 
tion of prosperity. 

The most interesting institution in the State is 
White's Iowa Institute of Manual Labor. This 
institute was founded by Joshua White, a wealthy 
benevolent (Quaker of Philadelphia, for the purpose 
of providing a Christian home and a practical edu- 
cation for worthy children, without regard to sex 
or color, that were not otherwise provided for. 
To this end Mr. White donated 820,000, which 
was to be controlled by the 3'early meeting of the 
Orthodox Friends, and to be managed by a com- 
mittee elected annually, which were to constitute a 
legal board. Fourteen hundred and forty acres of 
good farming land were purchased, and a large, sub- 
stantial brick building erected. It was for a time 
leased to the State for a reformatory institution. 
In 1883, however, the Trustees arranged with Ben- 
jamin Miles to take charge of the institute. 

Mr. Miles, in connection with his talented wife, 
had previously established an Indian school at 
West Branch, Cedar County, mostly on the patron- 
age of the (Tovernment. A sketch of Mr. Miles 
appears elsewhere in this work. The present year 
the Oovernment defra3^s the expenses of educating 
and supporting fifty-five Indian pupils. The}^ are 
taught the common English branches, farming, and 
to some extent are instructed in mechanical work. 
During the time this school has l)een o|ieneil the 
children of nine different tribes of Indians have 
been in attendance here. The land, not actually 
worked by the students, which is about 1,000 acres, 
is leased to assist in defraying the expenses of the 
institute. This is a very commendable institution, 
and one which should receive more attention, more 
praise and support from l)enevolent societies than it 
does. Mr. Miles is entitled to great credit for his 
kind and skillfid management. 



CHAIJIvESTON TOWNSHIP. 

UAULKSTON is one of the center lown- 
'^_ ships (jf ],ee County, and in its topography 
has no sujierior in tliis section. The sur- 
face is mostly- rolling prairie, which is interspersed 
with tine groves of timber. It is watered on the east 
!)}• tributaries to Rig Devil Creek, and on the west 
bj- Sugar Creek and its branches. The soil is rich 
and well adapted for the cereals, vegatables <jr 
stock-raising. The township is well improved with 
good farms and farm buildings, and the people gen- 
erally are industrious, prosperous, benevolent and 
charitable. It has about 1,000 inhabitants, and is 
steadily growing. 

The first settler was John Snyder, who came in 
and made a claim in 1834. The land was taken 
up quite rapidly after a settlement was started. 
The township has good transportation facilities, no 
part of it being more than four miles from the rail- 
road. The Keokuk & Northwestern traverses the 
township neaily in a northwest and southeast direc- 
tion!, elitering at the extreme southwest point and 
going out nearly at the northwest corner. The 
Burlington ct Southwestern runs along just above 
the northern line and parallel with it. 

There are three stations in the township on the 
former railroad, where the people get their mail, 
ship grain and stock, and also do some trading; these 
are Charleston, New Boston and Yeargerville. 



DES MOINES TOWNSHIP. 

\**K KS MOINES TOWNSHIP is located on the 
))) western border of the county, on the Des 
Moines River. The branches of Sugar 
Creek run southerlj' through the town- 
ship, affording good drainage facilities. The west- 
ern ptirtion is very liberally timbered and some- 
what broken, as also is the northwestern jiart. 
Along the Des Moines are some rich and beautiful 
valleys, and running up through the middle of the 
town are some fine prairies. Its first settlers were 
John Phillips, Johnson Meeks, James and Wllliiim 
Allen, and William and Robert Mix. 

This township is exceedingly well adapted for 






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LEE COUNTY. 



stock-raising, and there are some very fine herds 
here. The valleys are also rich in agricultiinil i)ii)(l- 
iicts. The farms are well improved, with many 
fine dwelling-iionses and substantial barns. The 
population are mostly native born, and are marked 
fur Ihcir intelligence, industry and prosperity. 
Their schuols are good and their churches are well 
attended. It is provided with go< id railroad facili- 
ties — the Chicago, Rock Island A- Pacilic Hailrtiad — 
on which are three stations. A'incenues, Hinsdale and 
Belfast. The two latter are but small places. The 
population i)f the township nuinliers about 1,000 
persons. 

\'incennes is a pretty little hamlet situated in 
the Des Moines A'alley <m the C. R. I. & P. R. R., 
and containing about 200 inhabitants. It is at this 
place that the peojile of the township get their 
mails mostly, and do a sliare of their trading. There 
are three stores here, one or two shops, a good 
school and a church. There are some prett}' groves 
about town, vvhich render it quite attractive. The 
peo|)le are sociable and the society is good. 



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DENMARK. 

<»^/ MONG tiie first settlers of this township 
were John Whitaker, Jolm M. Forest, John 
O. Smith, John Wren, Daniel JIcKeuzie, 
Ifcrden Hatton, Samuel lloxiston, E. A. 
Hills, Mr. Moflfatt, Edward and Cyrus Fletcher, 
Timothy Fox, Curtis Sheld and Louis Eps, in 
] ,s;i,')-;i(;. Tiicy nearly all settled together, not far 
from the center of liie township, to which place 
tliey gave the name of Denmark. The following 
year the^' had religious services, presided over bj- 
Rev. William Apthorp. 

Some of the early settlers here first settled on 
the north side of Skunk River, in the bottoms. 
Jolni (). Smith canic in alienil of the otlier settlers, 
arriving here in liS3;i, and locating near the present 
site of Denmark. Ilis son was the fn-st child l)orn 
here, his birth occurring in August, 1833. Joini 
Whitaker erected a sawmill in 183.'), on the banks 
of the Skunk River. The same fall Mr. Moffatt 



completed a gristmill. The erection of these two 
mills created great joy among the earl}' settlers. 

Denmark Townslii]) is pleasantly located, and is 
well drained and watered by the Skunk River and its 
tributaries in the northern jiart and Lost Creek in 
the southwestern. Al)out these water courses it is 
also liberally timbered. 

Denmark \'illage was laid ot'l in 1830. As be- 
fore stated, the first settlers from New England 
located about this town. John O. Smith located 
near here in 1833 and subsequently became Post- 
master. It was named Ijy John Edwards, who was 
on a visit from New Hampshire. A school-house 
was built here in 1 837, and a school opened by 
Eliza Houston. 

After the first school was opened a church society 
was established, and soon afterward a building 
was erected. 

In 1848 the IJaiitist Church was organized. They 
soon afterward erected a house of worship. Their 
membership increased from year to j'ear, and finally 
they found it necessarj* to erect a larger building, 
which was a very attractive one and a credit to the 
society and the town. 

There are sever.al stores and shops in the village. 
One of the leading features is a dairj-, which was 
first organized under the Denmark Dairy Associa- 
tion. The farmers at a very early day turned their j 
attention to the making of butter and cheese, which 
subsequently resulted in the establishment of this 
factory. Denmark has about 20(1 inhabitants. 



FKANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 

^,'RANKLIN is a full C'ongressional township, I 
and one of the best in the county. The 
greater portion is rolling prairie witb .-i rich 
and productive soil. In the northwestern part 
there is considerable timber, and in other portions! 
there are o<'("isionally beautiful groves. It is! 
drained by the main branch and several little trib- 
utaries of Big Devil Creek, and also by a small I 
branch of Sugar Creek. This township is very lib- 1 
erally supplied with transportation facilities, hav- 
ng two inqxirtant lines traversing its boundaries.! 




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Franklin Township is noted for well-cultivated 
farms and good Ijuildiugs, and for the enterprise 
and intelligence of its people. Its population at 
present numbers about 1,300. 

The Drst settler in this township was William 
Skinner, a native of Pennsylvania, who made a lo- 
cation on the edge of the grove in the southwest 
corner. He first lived in a caljin formerly used by 
Black Hawk during the sugar-making season, which 
was located on the east bank of Sugar Creek. He 
subsequently erected a cabin ou the west bank of 
the creek. At the time he located, or moved with 
his family here, which was in December, his near- 
est neighbors were at Ft. Madison. That winter 
they were entirely isolated from even these. The 
next season, however, they were not without some 
closer neighbors and companionship, for Henry and 
Jacob Abel came in and located not far from them. 
The settlers from this on were constantly coming 
in, taking up claims and imiwoving their homes, 
until all the public lands were disposed of. 

Franklin Township is well provided with schools 
and churches, and these institutions are well pat- 
ronized. It has two thriving little villages besides 
the station called La Crew on the Keokuk & North- 
western, where the people get their mail and do a 
good deal of their trading. 

Dounellson. 

"JI^ONNELLSON is a thriving little town lo- 
I ))) cated at the crossing of the two railroads, 
(fiJ(^ the Keokuk it Northwestern and the Chi- 
^-'^ cago, Burlington <fe Kansas City, near the 
southwest corner of Franklin Township. Its loca- 
tion is an attractive one, and it is in the heart of a 
rich agricultural country. Surrounding it are 
some verj' prett}' groves which add to its appenr- 
ance. 

This town did not have much growth until after 
the fair grounds were located here, which was in 
1870. Since that time it has increased slowly but 
surely, and now has a population of about 300. 
The agricultural meetings here have been very suc- 
cessful, and no better place could have been fixed 
upon for this purpose, as it is accessible b\- rail from 
all parts of the country. 

Dounellson has ipiite a number of good stores, 




societies, and a newspaper. 

the growing and thrifty towns of the State. 

Fi-iUikliii. 

^RANKLIN is quite an old town, having been 
laid out in the spring of 1840. The town 
was started at first with t"he expectation 
that the county seat would be located here, and 
land for this purpose was donated by Johnson 
Chapman, John Brown and Thomas Douglass. 
The Commissioners appointed by the Legislature 
chose this site, and it was accepteil by the Count}' 
Commissioners. But there was dissatisf.action ; 
petitions were presented to the Legislature, and 
finall}' another act was passed authorizing an elec- 
tion to decide the question. Two elections were 
held, which resulted in the selection of Ft. Madison. 

The first house built here was by Thomas Doug- 
lass, and the first store opened was by William 
Tillman. Two flouring-mills and a sawmill were 
afterward erected. In 18G5 a woolen factory was 
established by a stock company known as the 
Franldin Manufacturing Company. 

A Baptist Church was organized here in 1842, 
which partlj' completed a church building. It was 
subsequently sold to the Jlethodist people, who 
completed it. The p]vangelical Society erected a 
church building in 18.56. They did not prosper, 
and. their building was subsequently occupied by 
the Presliyterians. In 1 868 the Mennonites com- 
pleted their general building, which served the pur- 
pose for church, school, and a parsonage. 

In 1874 the village was incorporated. Prior to 
this a good two-story school building had been 
erected. The school has generally been conducted 
by good teachers, and the citizens have taken great 
pains to have their y.)uth secure a good education. 
In addition to the public school there are two de- 
nominational schools. Franklin h.as a very pleas- 
ant local ion, being situated on a rolling prairie. 
Its population numbers about 250, and is largely 
German. 

There are two other towns or stations. La Crew, 
which is located on the Keokuk * Jit. Pleasant 
Railroad, and South Franklin on the Burlington <fe 
Southwestern. 



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LEE COtTNTY. 



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GBEEN BAY TOWNSHIP. 

REKN BAY TOWNSHIP is situated in the 
extreme eastern part of the county, aud is a 
sort of an arm tliat is formed by the con- 
fluence of Skunk River with the Mississippi. About 
the first settlement made in this township was in 
l.S-i4, by Abraham llyter aud family, originally 
from Pennsylvania, but of German descent. This 
township, from its location and character of the 
land, did not attract the emigrant verj' much, aud 
consequently it settled up very slowly. The land 
bordering the rivers is low and marshy, and much 
of that in the interior is too sandy for heavy farm- 
ing. Of late years it has been made quite product- 
ive and profitable in the raising of melons, espec- 
ially water-melons, for which it is well adapted. 
There are a few very good farms in the township, 
and some fine buildings. 

The Chicago, Burlington & Quiuc3' Railroad 
passes thrc)Ugli the west pai't of the township. On 
this road is a station called AV^ever, at which place 
there is a post-oftice and a store or two. 

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HARRISON TOWNSHIP. 

jI^ARRISON TOWNSHIP was first settled i 
Ijl)!) 1835 b^- Joseph and William Howard, Isaa 
i^^^ Renfrew and Isaac and C'retli Beller. Ther 
(^) were quite a number of settlers following 
thein in 1830, among whom were Conrad Schweer, 
Daniel T. MeCulloch, Stephen Perkins and E. S. 
MeCuUoch. The McCullochs were from Tennessee, 
and became prominent citizens 'v\ the county. E. 
S. served for many years in the Legislature, in both 
branches, and was an influential member. 

The first school-house was built in 1 838, on sec- 
tion :J5, and was taught by Joseph Howard. Mrs. 
Schweer presented to the township its first native 
citizen in the jjerson of Malinda Schweer. 

The oldest settler now living who attended the 
first school is John McGrew. The oldest settler is 
David MeCulloch. 

After a few of the pioneers had made a start 
here, directing emigration this way, the township 



became an attractive location for settlers, who 
moved in quite freely, soon forming a prosperous 
settlement. 

Harrison is situated in the westeiii tier of town- 
ships, and is pretty well watered by tiie Inanches 
of Sugar Creek, which run southeasterly, and Lick 
Creek, which heads in the southwest part. The 
southeast and southwest portions are well timbered, 
and the other portions of the township are mostly 
rolling prairie. 

This township is well located for stock-raising or 
for planting; the farms are laid off nicel}' and are 
under good cultivation. The buildings are unusu- 
ally good, and the people are intelligent and pro- 
gressive. The}- have good schools for the educa- 
tion of their children, and convenient places for 
worship. At present there are about 900 inhabit- 
ants. The Burlington & Southwestern Railroad 
runs west through the lower line of the township, 
and the Keokuk & Northwestern touches the north- 
western part, giving thereby good facilities for 
shipping and travel. On the former road there is 
a station, Warren, where there is a post-ofliee and 
some traffic done. There is also another town 
named Primrose. Primrose is a pretty little ham- 
let located on section 23, and has a population of 
about 175 souls. It was laid off in 1 844, by George 
Perkins, and in 1845 a post-office was established 
here. There are some prettj- groves about the 
town which lend attr.actKm to it, especially in the 
summer time. It has a good school Ijuilding in 
which there is a good graded school. There are 
two churches. The Presbyterian, which was organ- 
ized at an early day, erected in 1881 a new build- 
ing. The German Lutheran Church has a good 
congregation. There are several stores and sliops 
in tlie village, and a gristmill, whicii w.as started in 
1870. 



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JACKSON TOAVNSHIP. 

]T is our purpose to onl^- l)rielly mention this 
township, as its history has been pretty fully 
detailed in that of Keokuk. It lies in the ex- 
treme southeast corner of the county, and is bor- 
dered on all but tlic north siile by the Des Moines 



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and the Mississippi Rivers. Its surface along the 
Mississippi is liill}' and sparsely timbered. In the 
interior there are rolling prairies, interspersed with 
groves, while the western portion is well timbered. 
Aside from the two rivers mentione-d, it is drained 
by Sugar Creoiv, Price Creek and some other little 
streams. The soil is light and sandj' in the main, 
but is admirable for small farming, to which use the 
people are ajjpljing it now quite extensively, and 
are finding it profitable. A ready market is found 
I at Keokuk in the large establishments there for all 
the onions, cucumbers and tomatoes that Jackson 
Township can raise. 



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Sandusky. , 



l^s^ ANDUSKY is 
! ^^^ terest. It is 
i? Ill// )l) situated on tl 



ANDUSKY is a place of great historic in- 
now a little town or landing, 
the Mississippi, in this town- 
ship. It has been pretty well established 
that it was here that the good Father Marquette, 
with his part}', made his first landing, June 21, 
1673, from which place he took the trail that led 
him to the Indian village, where he met for the first 
time the Indians of the Mississippi Valley, and who 
gave him such a hearty^ reception. A little stream 
pnts in here, which is called Lemoliese Creek. It 
received this name from a Frenchman, who came 
here in 1820, and established a trading- post. The 
place was first known to the white people as Lem- 
oliese. Maurice Blondeau was here with Lemo- 
liese. Blondeau had a brother-in-law whose name 
was Andrew Santamount, and who lived with his 
wife a few miles below in a log-cabin. Madame 
Santamount had a son by her first husband, whose 
name was Francis Labesser, wh<.i it is said was uu- 
equaled as an Indian interpreter. 

This log house where Lemoliese and Blondeau 
lived was located on an elevation a little way back 
from the river, near the Sandusky bridge, and was 
occupied in 1831 by the Brierly family, one meni- 
lier of which, James, son of Samuel, subsequently 
became the first Representative from this district 
to the Territorial Legislature. 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 

■JEFFERSON TOAVNSHII' lies in about the 
middle, north and south of the eastern part 
of the count}', and consequently a great 
portion of jts eastern border rests on the 
Mississippi. Big Devil Creek with its three branches 
meanders in a southeasterly course through it, 
which affords good drainage facilities to the ara- 
ble land. The northern and western portions are 
very liberally timbered, and there are scattering 
bodies of timber throughout the township. A 
large portion of the land is rich and well cultivated, 
and there are many farms of which the township 
can be justly proud. It was settled pretty early in 
the pioneer day, the first settler, George Williams, 
making a claim in 1834 on what is now section 2. 
He was followed in 1836 by James Ballard, who 
located near him, on section 1. Among the other 
early settlers were Benjamin Skyles, W. G. Kent 
and the Reed family. The township has at present 
a population of between eight and nine hundred. 

The Chicago, Burlington <fe Quincy and the Bur- 
liugton & Southwestern run through the townsliip, 
forming a junction at Viele, where there is a post- 
ofHce and a store. 



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MADISON TOWNSHIP. 

ADISON is a triangular shaped, fractional 
part of a Congressional Township. Five 
full sections of land would probably cover 
its entire area. Yet within this small com- 
pass some of the most important events in Lee 
County have transpired. Rising back a little way 
from the river are high bluffs, and extending on 
from these the land is considerably broken. In the 
southern part and around the bend of the river 
there is quite an extensive level plain or valley. 
The soil is very productive, and there are some 
fine and M'cll cultivated farms in the township. It 
is not our purpose to dwell on its history, as the 
leading features will be found in the chapter on 
Ft. Madison City. Most of the early pioneers to 
the New Purchase first landed jiere upon making 



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their claims in the different parts of the country. 
By 1840 the land was taken up aud most of it was 
under cultivation. 

Iowa State Penitent i:ir.v. 

IOWA'S penitentiary is located on mu elevated 
plat of ground north of Ft. Madi.'iDn.overlook- 
, ing the ilississippi. A temporary prison was 
first located here as early as 1 8;5!). Some years 
after an approprintion of ^58,(100 was made for the 
purpose of erecting the buildings. Since the erec- 
tion of this building several improvements and ad- 
ditions have been made. Tlie buildings are of sub- 
stantial structure and well adapted for the purposes 
for which they were erected. After passing thi'ough 
the gates, a visitor would think, were it not for the 
prison uniform it was one vast manufacturing estab- 
lishment. Theie are at present 367 prisoners here, 
the average number beiiigabout 400. The cells, cor- 
ridors, dining-hall, kitchen, and everything about 
the prison is neat and clean. The court is orna- 
mented with gr.a.ss plats, trees, shrubs, flowers aud 
fountains, aud all are well attended to. The en- 
tire morale of the penitentiary shows conclusively 
that the AVarden, Col. G. W. Crosley, understands 
his duties and is willing to perform them. 

The Sunday services are presided over by Rev. C. 
F. Willinms, and are held every Sunday morning. 
Sunday-school is held at two o'clock in the after- 
noon, and considerable interest is manifested in 
the exercises by the prisoners. A very good li- 
brary is one of the good features of the penitentiary. 

The offlcei-s are G. W. Crosley, Warden; J. 
Townsend, Deputy Warden; J. G. Herstler, Clerk; 
C. F. Williams, Chaplain ; A. W. Hoffnieister, Phy- 
sician; William Moore, Steward, and A. Scherfs, 
Tui'nkey. 

MAUIOJS T()WNSHI|». 

ARION forms one of the northern tiers of 

townships. It is ilrained by Sugar Creek 

and its little tributaries. The township is 

mostly undulating prairie. About the 

streams in the southern portion there are some fine 




groves of timber and the surface is a little more 
rolling. It is one of the best agi'icultural town- 
ships in the county. 'l"he farms .arc well laid out, 
and under good cnltivation, and tlie farm-houses 
are generally well constructed and attractive. 

Among the lirst settlers here were, Alex. Cruick- 
shank, Klias Gverton, Samuel Paschal and the May 
famil}'. Tlie first child was born at Clay Grove, 
aud was the sou of Alex. Cruicksh.ank. A store 
was opened at this place in 1838. The first school 
w.as taught in Marion Center in the 
18:;!)-40. 

After a 



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winter of Sfi 
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■settlement was started, and tlie beautiful gii 
farming lands known t<> the emigrants were thrown ^' 
on the market, the population increased quite rap- ^Ci 
idly, and the land was all taken in a few 3'ears. It Sf 

has at present about 1,100 inhabitants. There are Sin 

Si- ' 

two small towns in Marion, Pilot Grove and St. gti 
Paul, where the people get their mails and do p} 
a little trading. |i 

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310NTR0SE TOWNSHII*. 

F all the townships in Lee County, Montrose 
can justl3' claim to have ))een the first settled- 
This was in 1790, a full account of which 
will be found in the general history. The pioneers, 
however, of our day arc loth to recognize this as a 
settlement. It is too far back, and laj's over their 
d.ates so far that they do not even care to think of 
it. In this sketch of the township we shall not refer ct J 

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to the early settlements, but leave that, that has 
not already been referred to in the general history, 
for the towns of Montrose and Nashville. 

Montrose Township, by the bend in the Missis- 
sippi, has more than its natural width in river 
frontage. It is all pretty well timbered except a ^[ 
section which runs north and south through the 
center, which is rolling prairie. 



good morals prevail. 




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The soil is quite s;ti 
fertile iind easy of cultivation, ami there are some ^'i^\\ 

very choice farms in the township. Some of the a'n 

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best of the early settlers located in the township, Ei 

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the result of which has been that good society and cnh 



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LEE COUNTY. 



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Montrose. 

>HE site upon which this beautiful town is 
located was long known in histor.y as Ft. 
Dcs Moines. It rests on an elevated plateau 
overlooking the Mississippi, and at a point where 
there is a bend in the river. In this sketch it is 
highly proper to mention the name of that lonely 
adventurer who came to dwell here on the banks 
of this beautiful river. His name was Louis 
Honore Tesson, a Frenchman, who located here in 
1796, and lived here with his family for several 
years. He held a Spanish claim of a mile square. 
He opened a trading-house and made extensive im- 
provements, at least for those days, but he finally 
became involved in debt, his property was seized, 
and he was compelled to leave the country. Upon 
this farm the present city of Montrose rests. 

A long period elapsed before another settlement 
was made here ; not, indeed, until the pioneer era 
was this place inhabited again by other than the 
Indians. The first settlement made here was in 
1832, by Capt. .Tames White, who was soon j<)ined bj' 
Stephen II. Burtis, Ezra Overall, Thomas Taylor 
and others. 

In 1834 the Government commenced the erection 
of Ft. Des Moines, which gave quite an impetus to 
the growth of this settlement. Work commenced 
in the spring, and the fort was ready for occupancy 
by fall. The building of this fort brought a good 
many men here, who afterward became permanent 
settlers. The barracks were occupied in November, 
by three companies of the 1st U. S. Dragoons, 
under command of Lieut. Col. Kearney. 

The troops remained here until the spring of 
1837, when they w-ere removed to Ft. Leavenworth, 
Kan. After the withdrawal of the troops the site 
was laid out and platted by Daniel W. Kilbourne, 
and named ]\Iontrose. 

After the town was laid off, the heirs of Thomas 
F. Riddick brought suit to establish their title to 
the square mile originally granted to Tesson, which 
was decided in their favor. Riddick now bought 
the land from Tessou's creditor, Rabidoux. The 
town was again surveyed, and a partition made be- 
tween the heirs. 

The first store oi)ened here was in 183'.), b}' 1). 
W. and Edward Kilbourne. For some time the 



toun had a rapid gi-owth and up to the completion 
of tlie Government Canal. Prior to that time ( 1 .s77) 
Montrose was an important river town. It was at 
the head of the Rapids, where at all timts except 
in high water, cargoes were discharged and carric<l 
over the Rapids by lighters. This l)rought a large 
revenue to the town, and its loss was deeply felt. 

In 1857 the town was incor|)orated, and .1. M. 
Anderson was chosen Mayor. The population is 
estimated at present at about 800. 

There are four churches here, the societies of 
which have regular meetings ; these are the Method- 
ists, Episcopalians, Catholics, and the New Church 
of the Latter-Daj' Saints. 

From the earliest settlement attention was given 
to public schools, which resulted in having good 
teachers, and a good system of education. A 
good three-story brick school building was erected 
some j^ears ago at a cost of $1.5,000, and the most 
competent teachers secured. This plan has been 
carried out ever since, the result of which is that 
Montrose can justl3f feel proud of her educational 
advantages. 

NasliAlUe. 



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^ASHVILLE is a little village situated on the 
banks of the Mississippi, about midwaj' of 
the township, and in the outward bend of 
the river. Its population at the present time might, 
by close counting, be raised to a hundred. This 
town is a forcible illustration of man's weakness, 
of his inabilit}' to control the elements that go to 
make up this world of ours; also that advantageous ^ra 
sites do not always make cities. It was the object 
in days gone by of gre.at expectations, of dermas 
of wealth, power and grandeur more extravagant 
than any that was ever woven into a tale by Dick- 
ens. But Nashville has historic value if it has not 
a large population, with all the strife and conflict 
of busy trade. 

It was here that Dr. Isaac (ialland first located 
in 1829, and opened his trading-house. It was here 
tliat the first white child, within the territory n(jw 
embraced by Lee County, was born. Her name 
was Eleanor Galland. It was this year that the 
first school was taught by UerrymaM .Icnniiigs. 
Here, also, lived James Brierly, the first Repre- 



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sentative of Lee County. In 1830, Isaac R. Camp- 
licll was jiorsuailed by Dr. (ialland to locate here, 
who, at this time, expected notliiny else tlian it 
would be a great city. Mr. C'anjpbcll rcinained 
until spring, and then moved down lu the ioot of 
the Rapids. 

This town was known to Ihi' Indians by the name 
of Ah-we-pe-tnel<, and the country around here 
was a favorite resort for them. Black Hawk, Kco- 
ktd<, Wapello, Appanoose, Pastapaho, and other 
(•iii(?fs, were frequent visitors to Nashville, and 
were wont to indulge in their sports here to an en- 
thusiastic degree. But time has ch.anged all. Those' 
Indians have gone to their happy hunting-grounds, 
and the old settlers have i)assed awa^'. 







PLEASANT KIDGE TOWNSIlir. 



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LEASANT RIIKIK is located in the north- 
ern tier of townships. The first settle- 
ments made here were b}' William and 
Thomas Clark, Edward Enslow, John and 
David Burns and Thomas Foggy, in 1835. In 
183G several more families moved in and took up 
claims. In 1837 George Berr^', from Virginia, 
joined the .settlement and opened the first school 
here, in a private house. In 1839 a log school 
building was erected on section 2(i. Rev. Mr. Pitt- 
ner preached the first sermon. The Methodists 
were the first to oi-ganize a society and to erect a 
building. Edward Enslow had the honor to jire- 
side as the first Justice of the Peace. 

Pleasant Ridge is drained by Lost Creek which 
heads here, a branch of Sugar Creek, and Prairie 
and Sutton Creeks, which empty into Skunk River. 
The ujjper portion is well timbered, and the surface 
is somewhat broken, while the southern portion is 
rolling prairie with an occasional little grove. The 
township is under good cultivation, having many 
in(> farms and iile.-isant homes. (Jood sclutols liave 
been established, as well as places of woi'ship. 




VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. 

' Nt(((<^AN BUREN is located on the western line 
of the county, a portion of it bordering the 
Des Moines. It is all pretty well timbered, 
except the northeast portion, and the surface is 
quite rolling and often rather broken. It is more 
particularly ada]5ted for stock-raising, though there 
are many good agricultural farms in the township. 
It was first settled by Louis D. Kent, Louis Crow, 
Abraham llenkle and J\Ir. Haggard, a Christian 
preacher. These settlements were made in 1 83.5. 
Eliza llenkle, granddaughter of Abraham llenkle, 
was the first child born in the township. 

At the time of the settlement here, the people 
were very much isolated, and there was but little 
interchange of social life. It was not until 1843 
that they had a school for their children, and this 
was opened by Israel Cameron. During that year 
Daniel Galland settled here, and was the first Justice 
of the Peace. The township has been [)retty well 
settled up and improved; schools have been 
established, and church societies organized, both of 
which the people take a lively interest in. Their 
nearest inland stations are Warsaw and Belfast. 



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AVASHINOTON TOAVNSHIP. 

i^^ASniNGTON TOWNSHIP is among the 
oldest settled townships in the county. It 




is very liberally timbered, except in the 
center and the northwest portion. 'J'here are some 
very fine rolling prairies within its borders, which 
are under good cultivation. Lost Creek and several 
other little water courses drain it pretty fairh'. 

About the first settlement made here was in 
1834, when Joseph White, Samuel Ross, Benjamin 
Box, Hiram C. Smith and John Gregg came in and 
took up claims. Mr. Ross was a Kentuckian, and 
a gentleman of education and refinement. In 1835 
quite an addition w;is made to this settlement by 
the arrival of Philander .lones, from New York, 
\\'illiam M. Davis and wife, Ohio, the Herring fam- 



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ily, Mrs. Emily Stew.ait, Joseph B. Stewart, John 
Sawyei- and otliers. This township settled up 
j pretty rapidly after this, and daring the long years 
since its first settlement has beconje well developed: 
There are some very beautiful homes within its 
borders. The people are intelligent, well informed 
and progressive. They iiavc good schools, and are 
very attentive in their religious duties. The Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quiucy Railroad runs across the 
southeast corner of the township, and the Ft. Madi- 
son & Northwestern across the southwest corner. 
The people do their trading and get their mail 
princijjally at Ft. Madison. 



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WEST POINT TOWNSHIP. 

^HIS is one of the central townships of the 
count}', and is numbered among the best. 
Its topography is attractive, and it is ex- 
ceedingly well adapted for agricultural purposes, or 
for stock-raising. It is liberally watered by Sugar 
Creek and its tributaries. Along these streams 
there are fine bodies of timber, and the surface in 
some places is quite broken; there are, however, 
many large level fields. In the northern portion it 
II is mostly rolling prairie, with frequent pretty 
groves of timber. 

Louis Pitman, from Kentuckj', with his wife and 
seven children, moved here in the spring of 18.3;") 
and made a claim. Here he lived until his death, 
and his children still own the farm. His log cabin 
is still standing. He with his entire family came 
; with an ox-wagon all the way from Kentnckj-. 
3! Later on came George Herring, R. P. Creel, Will- 
3 iam Patterson, John L. Cotton, John Howell, and 
; several others. They soon had here quite a thriv- 
J ing settlement, with a good school and religious 
organizations. It has now a prosperous commu- 
§ nity which is marked for its progressive spirit, for 
J its intelligence and for its moral tone. Near its 
5 northwestern corner is the pretty town of AVest 
Point, where the people do their trading exclus- 
ively. 




f^i^IIIS lieautiful little village was first laid out 
by Abraham Hunsicker. J. L. Cotton opened 
a small store here in the latter part of 1835. 
The place was then called " Cotton Town." Early 
in the spring of ISoU there were several log cabins 
put up. In May, William Patterson with one or 
two others bought Hunsicker's claim, and then pro- 
ceeded to lay it ofT in regular blocks and lots, and 
named the place West Point. They were induced 
to give their embryo town this name by some West 
Point officers, who were then stationed at Ft. Des 
Moines, under the promise from them,. that they 
would become real estate holders in their new en- 
terprise. In September a sale of lots was made. 

Almost from the first the people here began a 
struggle for the county seat, which was maintained 
with fervor until it was finally located at Ft. 
Madison. 

West Point is on the Ft. Madison Narrow ttauge 
Railroad, and is an incorporated town and has a 
citj' government. Its popul.ation now is about 800. 
Its location is a beautiful one; lovely groves sur- 
round it, which form a pleasing relief to the rich, 
rolling prairies. It is in the midst of a well culti- 
vated country. There are several good business 
houses in town and one planing-mill. 

The first preacher to visit this town was Rev. 
Daniel Cartwright, a distant relative of Peter Cart- 
wright. He was of the Methodist Church. The first 
ministei- to hold regular services here was Rev. 
Alex. Ewing, a Presbyterian clergyman. A society 
was organized in June, 1 837, and is supposed to be 
the oldest Presbj'terian organization in Iowa. Their 
first building was a brick structure and was com- 
pleted in 1838. They subsequently put up a larger 
and finer one. This society has maintaineil its 
organization from the first and is in a prosperous 
condition. 

The Methodist Church was organized in 1839, 
by Rev. iNIr. Jennison. Meetings were held in a 
log house. In 1842 a small church building was 
erected, which was used until 1 855, when it was sold 
to the German Methodists, and a more commodious 
edifice erected. It had at one time 150 members, 
but it has not been able to maintain tliis number. 
It is, however, in a very fair condition. 



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The Catholic Church was organized in 1842, by 
Rev. J. G. AUcmann of Ft. Madison. In the spring 
of 1843, a church building was erected, wliich was 
used as a place of \v(.)rship for about ten years, 
when it was enlai-ged. In 1859 the church com- 
pleted its large, fine brick cditice at a cost of about 
;t;10,000. A fine pipe organ was subsequently added. 
It has a good rich tone and a large volume of sound. 
It is called the Church of the Assumption, and is 
presided over by Rev. William Jacoby, a very tal- 
ented and devout priest. There are some very 
ine oil paintings in llie church. The Assumi)tion is 
a real gem of art, and was brought by Father Jacoby 
from Europe. The Stations of the Cross are also 
elegant paintings and were executed by a master's 
hand. 

A Catholic school is attached to the church, 
which is under the control of the P'ranciscan Slstei's. 




They have a good, large, handsome building, and 
an excellent school ;af nil English course is taught, 
also the classics, with painting, music and drawing. 

The Mennonites established a society here in p] 
1845. They for several years held their meetings 
iu private houses. In 1850 thej' succeeded -in 
erecting a log building south of the town. In Hj 
18(>3 they completed their new building in town. 
There is also a Baptist and a Cumberland Presby- 
terian Societj' in the town. 

West Point has always been liberally disposed 
toward educational institutions, and has from the 
first maintained good schools. The West Point ^ 
Academy was established in 1842. It had been 
incori)orated by the Legislature in 1839. In 1842 
a young ladies' school was opened. The public 
school is presided over by good teachers, is graded, 
and affords ^ood educational advantages. 



■HHl 







'?ii 



i 



i 



I?: 

1 La 







Adams, John 23 

Adams, John Quincy 39 

Adams, W. J 218 

Allbaugh, Mrs. Levo 214 

Allen, W. W 392 

Allyn, T. H 541 

Alter, Henry R 444 

Alton, H. E 231 

Anderson, Absalom 205 

Anderson, A. W 176 

Anderson, B. F 551 

Anderson, J- G 177 

Anderson, James H 223 

Anderson, Joseph G 335 

Anderson, Dr. J. M 192 

Annable. D. H 183 

Armentrout, Dr. J. C 343 

Arthur, Chester A 99 

Atlee, Joseph B 457 

Atlee, J. C 221 



B 



Bacon, J- H 323 

Bailey, Dr. Benj. F 317 

Bailey, Noah 19.S 

Baker, C O., M. D 293 

Baker, Dr. S. F 522 

Ball, Frederick 237 

Ballinger, Frank M .--S?^ 

Ballinger, William 312 

Bancroft, Dr. W 568 

Bank, Judge Henry 185 

Barr, Robert 263 

Barr, Robert J 265 

Bassett, W. M 201 

Beard, Wm 469 

Beck, Hon. J. M 518 

Becker, C. L . - 193 

Beeler, David 197 

Behrens, W . J 216 

Bell, John ..194 



Bell, Rice H 479 

Bell, Z. T 433 

Benbow. J. W 386 

Berstler, J. G 378 

Bertram, Dr. W 186 

Black, H. M 308 

Blom, N 225 

Blom, Wm 436 

Boley, John 577 

Bonnell, J. W 377 

Bowen, P. W 232 

Boyd, J. G 191 

Brandes, Wm 235 

Bricker, James E 388 

Briggs, Ansel Tin 

Brinck, H 324 

Brinkman, Mrs- Margaret. . -198 

Brooks, Oliver 571 

Brown, Charles, Sr 206 

Brumagen, J. M 574 

Buchanan, James 75 

Buck, Morton 505 

Buell, L. W 401 

BuUard, A 295 

BuUard, A. J 565 

Bullard, James 412 

BuUard, Wilson.. - 337 

Burke, Patrick 558 

Burster, Ernst 201 



\ 



Cale. J. M 458 

Cameron, James 277 

Campbell. J. W 587 

Campbell. N. C 536 

Carey, S. E 294 

Carpenter, Cyrus Clay 139 

Carter, E. S 213 

Carter, S. C 266 

Case, M 435 

Casey, Hon. J. M 181 

Casey. S. M 184 

Cattermole, A. C 207 

Cattermole, H 561 

Chamberlain, M . S 286 

Church, James V 497 



Clark, N- E 538 

Cleaver, Dr. H. T 283 

Cleveland, S. Grover 103 

Cole, A. J 233 

Collins, Maj. Wm. B 475 

Comstock, Gilbert 302 

Connable, A. L 427. 

Cook, C. M 394 

Cooney, J. K 171 

Cowles, Philetus 529 

Coyne, Wm 418 

Craig, John E 335 

Craig, John H .523 

Crane, J. T 572 

Crosley, Col. G. W 281 

Curtis, George D 298 



D 



Datigherty. J ■ F 

Davis, Alfred 

Davis, B. C 

Davis, Capt. George E. 

Davis, James C 

Davis, Dr. Paschal 

Davis, Wm 

Davis, Wm 

Dawson, Peyton 

Deamude, Capt. Theo... 

DeCaiily, Rev. Louis 

Denmire, E 

Derosear, Wm 

Dickey, Mrs. Barbara.. 

Dickins, Isaac 

Doane, Josepli 

Doane, Robert 

Dobson, Thomas 

Dodd, H. W 

Doerr, Hon. Charles 

Donnell, W. A 

Downey, John 

Downs, John 

Doyle, Samuel, Jr 

Doyle, Samuel, Sr 

DroUinger, B. W 

Duffus, J. H 

Durfee, B. K. 



.271 
.273 
.^82 
•356 
251 
.464 
•547 
•393 
■347 
•307 
.491 
• 423 
.276 
562 
406 
.446 
.288 

•35' 
.563 
.244 
.227 
■45" 
•275 
447 
•463 
.215 
■437 
.185 



Eberling, Conratl 253 

Eoff, Leonard 403 

Espey, Thomas S 539 

Evans, Hon. A. H 354 

Evans, Thomas 341 

Ewers, Wm 318 

Ewing, James 455 



Fankhouser, Jacob 315 

Fett, Henry 226 

Fillmore, Millard 67 

Fowler, John 368 

Frederick, \V. B... 344 

Friedrick, Charles 234 

Frow James W 452 

Fueker, Garrett 424 

Fuller, E. E.,M. D 553 

Fulton, William. 425 



n 



if 



I 1 

I V 



G 



Galland, Washington 588 

Garfield, James A 95 

Garretson, A. H 498 

Garverich, Henry 456 

Gear, John H 147 

George, Dr. W. A 307 

Gibbons, Hon. Patrick 316 

Gibbs, B. F 554 

Gibbs, E. A 413 

Gillespie, Capt. C. P 28a 

Goodnough, Capt. R 3** 

Goodrich, J. W. 441 

liramm, Dr. Carl T a68 

Grant, Ulysses S 87a 



^ 



H 



I I 



m 



m 



IT 



ri^Si 









^1 



r 
i 



H 



H] 






n 



1 



liMii 



n 



PH 



ii 






SI! 



m 



Griffis, R. E 345 

Griffith, Wm D 39" 

Grimes, James ii9 

Griswo'd, W. H 306 



H 



Haffncr. Jacob 585 

Hagerman, Frank 385 

HamiU, D. B 25O 

HamilU S 394 

Hamilton, Hon. J. D. M....453 

Hampton, A 487 

Hardin, A. J 542 

Harlan, Joshua •••375 

Harrison, Wm. Henry 5» 

Harshman. F 326 

Hartley, N. D 421 

Hartley, Thomas 356 

Hatch, Mrs- E.. 576 

Haiton, W. B 57© 

Haubert, Peter.. ag? 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Hazon, J. B 214 

Heer, Frank 372 

Hcffleman, Mrs. Adithca A. .217 

Hemingway, J 298 

Hempstead. Stephen 115 

Henkle, Amos 367 

Henzel, George 171 

Henzel, John A 385 

Hesse, B. B 435 

Hiatt, A. S 476 

Hill. R. E 237 

Hinkley, Capt. E 366 

Hobbs, J. W 371 

Holdefer, John. 433 

Hott, George 426 

Hough, John 248 

Houaer, D. L 247 

Howard, Rev. Father M 427 

Howell, Judge James B. ...494 

Howell. Thomas H 257 

Hiibcnthal, Charles 338 

Hughes, F. T 509 

Hughes. Dr. J. C 365 

Humes, W. T 445 

Hundt, Rev. Charles F 191 

Hunt, J. F 292 

Hussey, Charles 391 

Hussey, Chri-^topher, Sr 402 

Hyier, John 562 



1 



IngersoU, E. M 395 

Ingersoll, Dr. L. C 352 

Ivins. W. S 573 



Jackson. .-VRdrew 43 

Jacobson, Andrew 383 






T»HTJ i g imiii 



toS 



*T»»rlir»Vyrt»T«'? 



3«SfSlTH 



": TIIXXTOmT* ' 



1 urrrrri rxn 1 



INDEX. 



Jacoby, Rev. William 542 

Jamieson, W. W 327 

Janse, Hector 422 

Jastcr, Frederick W 521 

Jefferson, Henry 3O4 

Jefferson, Thomas 27 

Jenkins, Dr- George F 245 

Johnson, Aaron 372 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Johnson, John a68 

Johnson, Seth 357 

Johnstone, Edward 442 

Judy, Henry 364 



Karhoff", Joseph 363 

Kasten, Charles C 402 

Keeler. L. B 564 

Kelley, Peter... 407 

Kellogg, E. B 287 

Kellogg, F. H •••305 

Kempker, John F 516 

Kennedy, Daniel 178 

Kennedy, James 446 

Kennedy, John G 381 

Kiel, J. B 353 

Kilbride, M 333 

King, John 284 

King, R. B 575 

Kircher, George 527 

Kirkwood, Samuel J 127 

Klein, Samuel 537 

Klingler, Charles 355 

Klopfenstein, Peter 503 

Krebill, Jacob i8£ 

Krebill, Peter 273 

Kfebill. R. H 177 

Kretsinger, W. H 504 

K rich el, Joseph 274 



Lang. Frederick •....438 

Larrabee, Wm 155 

Layton, George 334 

LeFaivre, A. J 424 

Lincoln, Abraham 79 

Loeffler, Joseph .579 

Love, Judge J . M 491 

Lowe, Ralph P 123 

Lupton, Joseph A 342 

Lye, Charles F 338 

Lynch, F. T 231 



M 



Madison, James 31 

Malcolm, Mrs. E. E 462 

Mang, Mrs. Johanna 494 

Marcey. P. B 445 

Marr,J. F 572 

Marsh, B. J 527 

Marsh, David C 243 



Marsh, Isaac 1 367 

Marshall, X>r. Evan 253 

Marshall, S. T 566 

Martin. Charles 462 

Mattern, John .172 

Matteson, Isaac A 540 

Mathews, E. C 486 

Mathews, P. M 453 

Maxwell, T. J., M. D 346 

McCabe. H. R .-■284 

McConn, D 506 

McConn, H. D 342 

McCormick, J. A 567 

McCrary, A. J 528 

McCuUochi D. T 432 

McDaniel, Isaac 560 

McDermolt, Michael & Sons. 305 

McGreer, John 278 

McHenry, Robt 322 

Mcllwain, Rev. R. C 504 

McNamara, James 344 

McNeill, Salmon 952 

McQuade, James 208 

McVay, John 550 

Meek, Johnson 173 

Meis, .Aloysius. . .'. 431 

Mendenhall, Jacob 580 

Mendenhall, John 586 

Merrill, Samuel 135 

Mertens, C ....417 

Miles, Benjamin 383 

Miles, J- A 331 

Miller, Hon. D. F... 569 

Miller, Henry R 551 

Miller, William J 425 

Mitchell, John 355 

Monroe, James 35 

Moore, Shapley 457 

Moore, Capt, W. S 559 

Moorman, J- W 485 

Morrison, A 470 

Morrison, D. A 468 

Morrison. J. A..*. 577 

Mumm. Edward 362 

Myers, Francis M 548 

N 

Nagel, Mrs. Mary ai6 

Newberry, A. R 45> 

Newberry, James W an 

Newbold. Joshua ('■ 143 

Nichols, W. H.. 331 

Nunn, George R 256 

Nunn, J. A 586 



o 



Ohlcr, Jacob 271 

Okell, Peter 586 

Owen, Capt. R. S 428 



Parker, Dr. R. M 421 



?a5???7 




Parrott, J. C 397 

Pattersfin, Col. William 405 

Payne, Dr. P. J 238 

Pease, J. L 326 

Pechstein, Mrs. Catherine .. -233 

Pcirce, Prof. C . H 481 

Perkins, John T 317 

Peters, Christian ..482 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Polk, James K.. 59 

Pranfier, William 235 

Price, C. S 333 

Prouty, Oscar 187 

Publisky, F 312 



Q 



Quinton, R. B. 



R 



Rand, George D 555 

Rankin, W. T 187 

Ranson, R. S 293 

Reed, Mrs. Lottie W 386 

Reitz, Henry 474 

Richardson, A. J 361 

Richardson, S. F 467 

Renwald, Jacob 512 

Rice, lonas 315 

Rix, John 454 

Roberts, A. C 500 

Rockey, Christian 193 

Rogers, Milward H 311 

Root, Col. Richard 535 

Russell, Robert A 169 



Sample, Col. J. B 461 

Sample, Capt. \V.. 361 

Sanders, Gerhard 328 

Saraent. H. C 204 

Sargent, J. A 4ts 

Sargent, O. G., Sr ?8l 

Schaefer, George 474 

Scharfenberg, Henry 303 

Schenk, F.,Sr 499 

Schenk, F., Jr 498 

Schouten, Jacob s67 

Schweer, Hon. Conrad 511 

Scott, John 558 

Scroggs, J. W 274 

Seabold, John an 

Seabold, John J 188 

Seamans. E. D 164 

Semple, Francis 408 

Semple, F H 398 

Shadwell, Richard 4*4 

Sheppard, L. D 538 j 

Sherman, Buren R xjt 



1 



INDEX. 



647 



'it 

l:t 
13C 



n':i 






\M 



=*» 



t 



I 



Shinstock, H 236 

Slattery, Daniel ...396 

Smith, Joseph A 533 

Smith, I- F 475 

Smith, Prof. John A 288 

Smith, Robert E 470 

Smith, Thomas 530 

Speake, Capt. Samuel 499 

Spreen, Henry C 358 

Stahl, Charles 448 

Steele, William D 565 

Stevens, M. W 530 

Stewart, Rev., Geo. D 255 

Stone, William M 131 

Stripe, W. C 175 

Surrena, Philip 517 

Sutton, P. R 523 

T 

Tate, Dr F. M 336 



Taylor, Zachary 63 

Teller, Capt- Ralph 341 

Tewksbury, J. R, 374 

Thomas, E. H 292 

Torley, WjUiam 351 

Townsend, J ..246 

Trimble, Hon. A. H 196 

Trump, George. 202 

Tschoepe, Moritz 549 

Turner, James P 223 

Turner, Dr- W. H 361 

Tweedy, John 188 

Tyler, John 55 

V 

Van Ausdall, Isaac 515 

Van Valkenburg, Hon. John. 296 

Van Euren, Martin 47 

Von der Haar, Gerhard 325 



w 

Walker, Dr. J. C 258 

Walsmith, E 416 

Ware, John 202 

Warwick, Chas- A ...511 

Washburn, Hon. H 510 

Washington, George 19 

Waterhouse, Thomas 301 

Weber, A 479 

Weber, Jacob 186 

Weess, Frank J 212 

Weil, M ichael 265 

Wei?mann, Dr. A. T 404 

Welsing, H •.174 

White, Josiah 492 

Whitlock, Charles 224 

Wiegner, .A.dam 552 

Wiegner, Jacob 176 

Wiegner, John P 178 



Wieland, Rev. S. F ,93 

Wiggenjost, Anton 217 

Williams, Rev. C. F 575 

Williams, Rev. Wm. H 313 

Williamson, Rev. E 473 

Williamson, William 510 

Wilson, Enoch G 534 

Wilson, George 241 

Wilson, Jas 264 

Wilson, John .556 

Wilson, Thomas V 417 

Woodward, Capt. Asa B.... 242 

Worley, S. T. & Son 267 

Wyllie, Andrew 411 

Wyman, F, W., M. D 327 



Vounkin, S. G. 




>«x: 



A. 



^kgil^C ^ 



WwMTMmTTB 




-^d*^-*— - 



■1 



1-: 

If 

1: 



Adams, John 22 

Adams, John Quincy 38 

.Ajaderson A 205 

Arthur, Chester A 98 

Atlee, J. C 220 

Bell, Rice H 478 

Eriggs, Ansel ..no 

Buchanan, James 74 

Buell, L W 400 

Burster, Anton 200 

Carpenter, Cyrus Clay 138 

Casey, J. M 180 

Church, James V 496 

Cleveland, S. Grover. 102 

Crosley, G. W ...... .280 

Evans, Thomas 240 



Fillmore, Millard 66 

Galland, Washington 589 

Garfield, James A . 94 

Gear, John H 146 

Goodrich, J. W 440 

Grant, Ulysses S 86 

Grimes, James W 1 18 

Haffner, F 584 

Haffner, Maria B 584 

Harrison, Wm. H 50 

Hayes, Rutherford B .. 90 

Hempstead, Stephen 114 

Hughes, F. T 508 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jastiir, F. W.. 520 

Jefferson, Thomas... 26 



Johnson, Andrew 82 

Kennedy, J. G 380 

Kirkwood, Samuel 126 

Larrabee, William 154 

Lincoln, Abraham 78 

Lowe, Ralph P 122 

Khipfenstein, Mrs- E 502 

Klupfenstein, Peter 502 

Madison, James xo 

Merrill, Samuel 134 

Monroe, James. . 34 

Moorman, Dr. J. W 484 

Newbold. Joshua G 142 

Parker, M 420 

Pierce, Franklin 70 

Polk, James K 58 




Richardson, -A.. J 260 

Richardson, Mrs. A. J 260 

Richardson, S. F .. 466 

Russell, Robert A 168 

Sample, Capt. W 362 

Sherman, Buren R... . * 150 

Smith, Joseph A 532 

Stone, Wm. M 130 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

Teller, Capt. Ralph R 340 

Turner, Dr. W. H 360 

Tyler, John 54 

Van Ausdall, Isaac 514 ' 

Van Buren, Martin 46 

Washington, George 18 

Waterhouse, Thomas 300 

Williamson, E 472 



a I: 



m 




Anderson, J. G 390 

Atlee, J. C 221 

Bullard, Alexander 290 

Cooney, J. K 230 

Daugherty, J. F. 390 

Fankhouser, Jacob 250 

Fowler, John 369 



Garverich. Henry 350 

Heffleman, Mrs. A. A 526 

Hesse, B. B 270 

Krichel, Joseph 350 

McQuade, James 310 

Mertens, Christian 250 

Newberry, A. B 449 



Newberry, J . W 209 

Prouty, Oscar 310 

Richardson, S. F 466 

Rogers, Milward H 250 

Sanders, Gerhard 329 

Sargent, John A 270 

Scharfenberg, Henry 350 



Schinstock, Henry.. . 466 

St. Joseph's Cath. Ch 49° 

St. Mary's Cath. Ch. Keo....i89 
St. Mary'sCath. Ch., Fi. M . 430 

Spreen, H. C 526 

Turner, J. P 330 

Worley, S.T. & Son 189 

Wyllie, -Andrew 4^ 



I 







■"''ilH""* 



648 



m 



^'• 









Wfiff 

i!iaMt! ! tvJ'.'; ;ii'.'Ji'it'ii';i'j'.'ii,'j 



INDEX. 










■ i 



- OO P 



INTRODUCTORY 

INDIAN HISTORY 

Half-breed Tract 
Keokuk Reserve 

SETTLEMENT AND OR- 
GANIZATION 

Ft. Des Moines Bar- 
racks 
Organization 
Civil Government 
The County Seat 
Township Organization 
Then and Now 

THE PRESS 

The Plaindealer 



597 

598 
599 
600 



602 

605 
607 
607 
608 
609 
610 

612 
613 



The Gate Citj- 613 
The Keokuk Constitu- 
tion 614 
Keokuk Democrat 616 
Ft. Madison Democrat 616 
Republican-Herald 616 
Keokuk Post 616 
West Point Appeal 617 
Lee County Record 617 
Knights' Sword and Hel- 
met 617 

RAILROADS 618 
CITY OF KEOKUK 620 
CITY OF FT. MADI- 
SON 627 
State Penitentiarj' 640 




TOWNSHIP HISTOR- 




IES 


634" 


Ced.ir 


634 


Charleston 


635 


Des Moines 


635 


Denmark 


636 


Franklin 


636 


Green Ba}' 


638 


Harrison 


638 


Jackson 


638 


Jefferson 


639 


Madison 


640 


Marion 


640 


Montrose 


640 


Pleasant Ridge 


642 


Van Buren 


642 


Washington 


642 


West Point 


643 



KK], 



Si^EHHa 



